Manchester United looking to bring controversial striker to Old Trafford

Manchester United looking to bring controversial striker to Old Trafford

 

Manchester United have Rasmus Hojlund to call on up front – but have made it clear they’re looking for another forward

 

 

Manchester United are well-positioned to sign a striker who’s no stranger to controversy.

 

The Red Devils are sixth in the table with a very disappointing goal difference after 29 matches. Erik ten Hag’s side have broken even with goals scored and conceded – 39 each – some +17 off next-placed Tottenham, while Arsenal have a goal difference of +46 at the top of the tree.

 

With only the young Rasmus Hojlund as their most natural option to play at centre-forward, there is the clear need for more firepower in Manchester United’s attack – which has led them down an intriguing avenue in the transfer market.

 

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has called the 20-time English champions the “ones to watch” in Ivan Toney’s imminent decision over his future, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham United all said to be interested in the England international.

 

Toney returned from a betting ban this season and has been among the goals for Brentford – but has ruffled feathers for his somewhat brazen admittance that his future lies elsewhere. The 28-year-old refused to rule out a transfer in January, telling Sky Sports that he wanted to play for a “top club”, in a move that some fans found disrespectful.

 

United have a history of bringing controversial and larger-than-life characters to Old Trafford, stretching back to the likes of Eric Cantona – and though Toney would have to share minutes with Hojlund, the move could be a masterstroke if the Northampton-born forward is available for a sensible price.

 

In FourFourTwo’s view, however, any interest from the Red Devils in Toney right now is almost certainly only a monitoring of his situation, with new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe still needing to install a backroom setup and confirm the manager for season.

 

Liverpool, Barcelona ‘closely monitoring Man Utd midfielder’

Liverpool and Barcelona are reportedly among a number of clubs keeping tabs on Manchester United loanee Sofyan Amrabat.

 

The Red Devils were heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old before eventually luring him away from parent club Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.

 

It is understood that Man United are paying La Viola around €10m (£8.6m) to have Amrabat on a temporary basis and also have the option to recruit the midfielder permanently this summer for €20m (£17.2m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.

 

Amrabat made the move to Old Trafford following a successful 2022-23 campaign with Fiorentina as well as a standout display with Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, during which the African nation surprisingly progressed to the semi-finals.

 

However, since joining Man United, Amrabat has failed to reach the heights expected and has started just 13 of his 22 appearances across all competitions.

 

Liverpool, Barcelona ‘closely monitoring Man Utd midfielder’

Amrabat has fallen down the pecking order under manager Erik ten Hag, having amassed just 24 minutes across Man United’s last nine Premier League matches since the turn of the year.

 

A recent report claims that the Red Devils have decided that they will not be triggering the option to sign Amrabat on a permanent deal, meaning he is set to return to Fiorentina this summer.

 

Although the Moroccan’s spell at Old Trafford has not gone according to plan, a number of European clubs are believed to be interested in his services ahead of the 2024-25 season.

 

Serie A giants AC Milan have previously been credited with an interest in Amrabat, and according to Fichajes, both Liverpool and Barcelona are also closely monitoring the midfielder’s situation.

 

However, as things stand, the report claims that Atletico Madrid are leading the race for Amrabat’s signature, with the midfielder ‘closer than ever’ to becoming Diego Simeone’s first signing of the summer.

 

Liverpool, Barcelona ‘closely monitoring Man Utd midfielder’

A separate report from The People’s Person claims that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp held talks with Amrabat last summer before the Moroccan opted to join Man United.

 

Liverpool instead turned their attention to Wataru Endo and spent a reported £16m to sign the Japan international from Stuttgart.

 

Amrabat is one of a plethora of names that have been linked with an exit from Man United this summer, with new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe believed to be planning a squad overhaul.

 

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are two more midfielders who are said to be facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford, but Scott McTominay – who has also been linked with a departure – could reportedly be in line for a new contract at the club.