Amorim Tells Man Utd to Sign ‘Highly Reliable’ Striker After Learning ‘Unworkable’ Osimhen Condition
As Manchester United continue to reshape their transfer priorities ahead of the 2025/26 season, all eyes are on the striker position — a role crucial to the club’s long-term revival under whichever manager leads the charge. While Rasmus Højlund has emerged as a promising talent, United are looking to add experience and consistency to complement their young Dane.
Initially, Victor Osimhen was the standout name on the list. The Napoli striker, known for his pace, physicality, and elite finishing, has long been linked with a Premier League move. However, recent developments surrounding his release clause and wage demands have reportedly forced United to rethink the feasibility of that deal. Now, incoming managerial target Rúben Amorim has stepped into the conversation — and he’s made it clear: United should move for a more “highly reliable” and financially viable striker who fits his tactical system and squad-building philosophy.
Let’s explore the situation in full: why Osimhen’s transfer is now considered “unworkable,” who Amorim has recommended instead, and how this shift could shape Manchester United’s summer window and their squad going forward.
—
The Osimhen Problem: A Clause Too Far
Victor Osimhen was viewed by many at Manchester United as the ideal target to lead their frontline. After scoring over 50 goals in two seasons and helping Napoli win the Serie A title, his mix of explosiveness and clinical edge was exactly what United needed. However, despite being open to a Premier League move, the conditions tied to his transfer have become problematic:
1. Release Clause: Osimhen’s current contract includes a €130 million (£111 million) release clause, which Napoli insist must be paid in full — no instalments, no negotiations.
2. Wage Demands: The striker is reportedly asking for wages in the region of £300,000 per week, making him one of the highest earners at the club from day one.
3. Injury Record: Osimhen has missed several stretches of each season due to muscular injuries or facial fractures, raising questions about reliability over a 50+ game campaign.
According to multiple reports, these factors have led to the Osimhen deal being described as “unworkable” by senior United figures. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions looming and INEOS’s preference for strategic, value-driven signings, such an investment is being reconsidered.
—
Enter Rúben Amorim: The Voice of Tactical Clarity
Rúben Amorim, who is widely expected to become United’s new head coach if Ten Hag is dismissed post-season, is not only known for his innovative tactics but also for his recruitment clarity. At Sporting CP, Amorim built a squad that mixed young Portuguese talent with undervalued European players — combining technical quality, tactical intelligence, and financial prudence.
Upon being briefed on United’s summer targets and squad needs, Amorim reportedly advised against the Osimhen move and instead pushed for a striker who would:
Fit into a fluid 3-4-2-1 or 4-3-3 system
Offer high reliability in terms of availability and performance
Come at a cost that doesn’t restrict other key signings (e.g., a midfielder and a defender)
In short, Amorim wanted a more sustainable striker option — one who would bring balance, not just headlines.
—
The Recommended Target: Jonathan David
Sources close to the situation suggest that Amorim has recommended Jonathan David, the Canadian international and Lille striker, as a prime alternative. David ticks all of Amorim’s boxes and has been quietly impressive in Ligue 1 for the past three seasons.
Jonathan David Profile:
Age: 25
Club: Lille OSC
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Striker / Forward
2024/25 Stats: 20+ goals in all competitions
Estimated Price: £35-45 million
Contract Status: Contract expires June 2026
David is a striker who offers much more than goals. He is intelligent with his movement, presses defenders tirelessly, and links well with attacking midfielders — exactly what Amorim values in a No. 9. His ability to drop deep, create space, and finish with either foot has made him a consistent scorer in France, and he’s ready for a bigger platform.
—
Why David Over Osimhen Makes Sense for United
1. Financial Sustainability
Osimhen’s price tag is likely to eat up most of United’s summer budget. By signing David for around £40 million, United would still have funds left for a central midfielder and a centre-back — both priority positions.
2. Tactical Compatibility
Amorim prefers strikers who move fluidly within the front three, often drifting wide or dropping in to link with the “dual 10s” in his 3-4-2-1. David has done this to great effect at Lille, whereas Osimhen is more of a traditional box predator.
3. Fitness and Durability
David has had an excellent availability record. He plays close to 90% of his club’s fixtures each season, something United will value after struggling with injuries to Martial and Rashford.
4. Work Rate and Pressing
In Amorim’s pressing systems, the striker is the first line of defence. David’s defensive contribution and pressing numbers are among the best for forwards in Europe.
—
How Would David Fit in United’s XI?
If Amorim does implement a 3-4-2-1, Jonathan David would be the tip of the spear:
Formation: 3-4-2-1
GK: Onana
CBs: Martínez, Maguire, Dalot
WB: Shaw (L), Wan-Bissaka (R)
CMs: Casemiro, Mainoo
AMs: Bruno Fernandes, Rashford
ST: Jonathan David
David’s movement would allow Fernandes and Rashford to operate between the lines, while his link-up play would help break through Spurs’ midfield press. His pace also suits United’s counter-attacking instincts — a quality Amorim admires.
—
Fan and Pundit Reaction
Some fans will naturally be disappointed that United are unlikely to sign a marquee name like Osimhen. However, many analysts and former players have voiced support for a more strategic approach.
> “Jonathan David is exactly the kind of signing United need — hungry, experienced in Europe, and tactically intelligent,” former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions.
If United are indeed pivoting away from vanity signings and toward smarter, system-based recruitment, the David-Amorim combination could usher in a new chapter of sustainability and tactical clarity.
—
Conclusion: A Smarter Path Forward
While Victor Osimhen would have been a blockbuster signing, the financial and logistical constraints around the deal have made it nearly impossible. Instead, Rúben Amorim has steered Manchester United toward a more grounded and effective solution — a forward who may not generate headlines but could solve one of the team’s biggest problems: consistent goals and reliable performances.
Jonathan David may not be the superstar some fans envisioned, but with the right system, he could become a 20+ goal striker who elevates the entire team. Under Amorim’s guidance, this could be the beginning of a smarter, leaner, and more cohesive Manchester United — built not just
to impress, but to win.
And for a club that’s spent years chasing shadows in the transfer market, that might be the biggest win of all.
Leave a Reply