The Napoli striker has recently been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford scored again as Manchester United defeated Brentford at home, giving the Englishman 28 goals in all competitions this season, 18 more than any other United player.
The 25-year-hot old’s streak may have served to mask the goalscoring deficiencies of those around him, with the center-forward duo of Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial, for example, scoring just eight goals this season across all fronts.
That lackluster performance is just not good enough for a squad with championship hopes next season, as shown by recent reports that the Old Trafford club is exploring a transfer for Tottenham Hotspur star, Harry Kane, or Napoli wonder, Victor Osimhen.
For those leaning toward the latter, who might cost up to €150 million (£132 million), the 24-year-old would provide a viable long-term fit due to his age, serving as an attacking leader around whom Erik ten Hag could build his club for years to come.
Having said that, signing the Nigerian would be risky, with the Red Devils unable to afford another costly misstep in the transfer market.
The aforementioned Martial made yet another cameo appearance off the bench in the recent triumph against the Bees, despite having been welcomed back into training a few weeks earlier.
Ten Hag’s patience seems to be wearing thin amid reports that the former Monaco star might be part of a squad clearout this summer, as the Frenchman’s health problems have been a constant source of annoyance this season, restricting him to just 16 appearances in all competitions.
While Osimhen has been in blazing form for Luciano Spalletti’s side this season, scoring 21 Serie A goals, the highly-coveted danger is also prone to injury, having spent time on the treatment table several times during his time in Naples.
According to Transfermarkt, the former Lille machine has been out for 209 days due to a variety of fitness and injury issues since the start of the 2020/21 season, accounting for approximately 46 games in which he has been unavailable for selection, whereas Kane has missed just five games at club level in that time.
According to The Athletic’s James Horncastle on the current Totally Football Show podcast, there is a perception in Italy that the 6 foot 1 marksman is “brittle,” with United justified in being weary of paying huge money on a player who may prove untrustworthy.
Of course, injuries are inevitable, but Osimhen’s track record should sound alarm bells at the Theatre of Dreams, particularly with United eager to avoid signing another Martial.
Manchester United is considering a summer move for World Cup champion Alexis MacAllister as Erik ten Hag continues his reconstruction
According to Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, United is vying with Liverpool and Arsenal for the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder this summer.
Merlo claims that two teams are “already negotiating” with the player, although he does not name them.
The south coast club demanded £50 million from any side interested in luring Mac Allister away from the club during the January transfer window, and this figure may have risen by the end of the season. Ten Hag is only a few acquisitions away from fielding a Premier League-caliber squad, and Mac Allister would surely benefit the team.
Argentina might be a major upgrade over Scott McTominay, with the Dutchman ready to get away from deadwood and underperformers throughout the summer.
Additionally, the 24-year-old has more goals (eight to none), shots per game (2.35 to 0.78), tackles won (30 to 18), and pass success rate (86.7% to 81.9%) this season than the Scot, proving he has been much more effective overall.
Ten Hag would want to add another goal threat in midfield, and Mac Allister ranks in the top 5% of Europe’s main five leagues for goals, total shots, and penalty kicks made, meaning that if United were to sign him, they would be getting one of the continent’s finest goalscoring midfielders.
His great degree of competence is undoubtedly advantageous to the Dutchman. During Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win, writer Roy Nemer described the midfielder as “unplayable,” and he was brilliant throughout the season. Over six games, he averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.05/10, scoring once, creating two significant opportunities, making 1.3 vital passes each game, and taking 1.2 shots, displaying his attacking ability on the grandest stage of all.
McTominay has only started nine Premier League games for United this season, making 20 appearances and his time with the Red Devils seems to be coming to an end.
Mac Allister will be a major upgrade over the 26-year-old and will boost United’s midfield.
