Journalist drops update on late Man Utd move for “world-class” striker he’s heard

“My sources”: A journalist provides an update on the late Manchester United transfer for a “world-class” striker that he has learned of.Alex Crook, a reporter for talkSPORT, dismisses rumors of Karim Benzema moving to Old Trafford, stating that Manchester United “do not anticipate any major incomings” during the 2024 winter transfer window.The Red Devils have experienced a lackluster transfer window in terms of acquisitions, and it appears improbable that this trend will alter in the coming days for Erik ten Hag’s squad.

A 25% stake in Manchester United was recently acquired by INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, constituting a minority acquisition. He will oversee football operations in the background. Nevertheless, following a lackluster initial half of the season, the Manchester titans will prioritize securing a European football qualification spot prior to the 2024/25 season.Despite the linkage of several strikers this winter, Manchester United have had difficulty scoring during the 2023/24 campaign. Despite investing heavily in marquee recruits during the summer transfer window of 2023, the Red Devils have yet to see a return on a number of them as the season has progressed past the halfway point.

Manchester United paid £72 million to acquire Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund in August 2023, as ten Hag sought to bolster his lineup with an all-around center forward. Due to the striker shortage caused by the contract termination of Cristiano Ronaldo in November 2022 and the failure to convert Wout Weghorst’s loan move from Burnley into a permanent agreement in the summer of 2023, the 20-time English champions were deficient in this area.However, Hojlund has struggled to adjust to the Premier League, appearing in only 16 appearances and scoring two goals. Ten Hag’s squad has scored just 24 goals in the Premier League this season, which ranks them joint-16th in the league in terms of scoring. Former Premier League star Jose Enrique’s description of Al-Ittihad striker Karim Benzema as “world class” suggested that United might consider acquiring such marquee players. Despite this, the Red Devils have ruled out the possibility of signing the 36-year-old, considering his current annual salary of £200 million.In the interim, transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano recently reported to GIVEMESPORT (January 23) that Manchester United have engaged in internal discussions regarding the possibility of acquiring Brian Brobbey, a striker for Ajax. Any deal for the 21-year-old center forward, who has affirmed he will remain in Amsterdam this winter, must therefore occur in the summer.The injury to Anthony Martial is not likely to force Manchester United’s hand, according to Alex Crook.

Despite striker Anthony Martial’s ten-week absence due to a groin operation, Manchester United’s stance on recruitment for this winter has not changed, according to Crook. Additionally, the talkSPORT reporter suggested that the Red Devils’ transfer strategy might differ from their current framework. Crook stated to GIVEMESPORT, “When I inquired about the matter following the Martial update, I was informed that it had no bearing on their recruitment stance. Despite the fact that one week remains, Manchester United continue to not anticipate any significant incomings. Consequently, I believe that would preclude a paid signature. A connection has been made between them and Benzema, but that is implausible given his salary, and my sources there have also distanced themselves from that matter.

“I believe they will refrain from signing [Brobbey] of that nature.” There they were accompanied by ten Hag and his agent. The athletes that were acquired from the Netherlands have not performed as expected. Therefore, it is my belief that Manchester United’s future recruitment will be entirely different.”Updates on Manchester United, including the destiny of Erik ten Hag

Manchester United have not completed a substantial acquisition during the winter transfer window of 2024 and are improbable to spend heavily in the remaining days of the market. In order to adhere to the profit and sustainability constraints imposed by the Premier League, Manchester United may be compelled to divest certain high-earning players prior to registering new signings at Old Trafford.In the interim, The Daily Mirror reports that ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is anticipated to become clear once Ratcliffe is able to publicly discuss his intentions for the three-time European Cup champions. Following the INEOS minority acquisition being ratified by the Premier League, the English businessman will have unrestricted access to discuss the club. Ten Hag’s management approach and the appointment of CEO Omar Berrada, who joined the organization from Manchester City in early January, will be discussed in the Athletic report.The burden will be felt by the Dutchman, who has endured a dismal campaign at Old Trafford. Manchester United are positioned eighth in the Premier League standings, eleven points adrift of fourth-place Aston Villa, who presently hold the final qualification spot for the Champions League for the following season. As the group’s bottom finisher in the Champions League, which also comprised Copenhagen, Galatasaray, and Bayern Munich, the Red Devils are eliminated from continental competitions for the duration of the season.