Manchester United require a new striker following a -1 goal difference in 2023-24 and a -10 goal difference in 2024-25. However, the wait is anticipated to continue.
While perusing the Manchester United website’s first team section, it is evident that their most significant issues are situated at the bottom of the list.
The final two players on the list are Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, who do not have squad numbers. Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are situated above them.
The page contains an impressive 33 participants. Tyrell Malacia and the aforementioned quartet may be excluded from the official senior squad. It is premature to designate Tyler Fredricson that status, despite his recent squad number upgrade, and Dan Gore and Ethan Wheatley cannot be considered first-teamers.
The first squad page has uploaded Diego Leon’s profile; however, it is anticipated that the 18-year-old’s initial year will be comparable to that of Sekou Kone. One of acclimatization, with limited opportunities at the senior level.
Therefore, the quantity is reduced to a mere 24 players, which is an optimal quantity for a season that does not include any European evenings. However, it is not feasible to write off assets that are capable of being sold.
Rashford, Antony, Sancho, and Garnacho collectively earn £825,000 per week. They are all still on United’s books, and it is likely that they will remain so until August.
It is exceedingly unlikely that United will dispose of all four. Garnacho has potential suitors, and Sancho is unable to demand such a high fee after four years of incompetence and with one year remaining on his contract. Antony has established a market; however, it is improbable that a purchasing club will acquire his profitability and sustainability-calculated value (£32.58m).
Antony may be required to participate in a season-long loan that includes a fixed fee that must be paid at the conclusion of the loan, with the exception of a Sancho-style technicality. A loan is unavoidable due to Rashford’s salary, the three years remaining on his contract, and his aversion to a change of scenery.
On Monday morning, Rashford engaged in a four-hour workout at the gym. The majority of his Instagram posts this summer have been fitness videos. Additionally, he has conducted individual sessions at Carrington. He is endeavoring to attract attention.
It is probable that United will continue to bear a portion of the cost for two prominent forwards in the upcoming season. Secondly, they have two strikers in whom they have invested £108.5 million, a high-profile adolescent striker who was promoted to the first team nearly six months ago, and five players who can serve as a No.10. They are more heavily stocked than an Ikea warehouse.
It is implausible to anticipate that United will promptly recruit a striker, given the excessive size and expense of their attacking department. Liam Delap was an advantageous alternative due to his low release clause and his affiliation with a relegated club that prioritized the promotion of Ed Sheeran concerts over the preservation of its Premier League status.
According to sources, Jason Wilcox, the newly appointed director of football at United, is highly esteemed and well-liked by his colleagues. Wilcox is said to have the “best eyes in football” by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. He did not have to search far to locate Delap, a player he had observed at the Manchester City academy during his tenure as director.
United are still reeling from the £72m package they committed to with Atalanta for Rasmus Hojlund, who was acquired for a £64m upfront fee two years ago. One of the coaching staff members acknowledged that United would be unable to invest £60m on another striker the following summer while they were in negotiations with Atalanta.
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