Manchester United are a club who have spent a small fortune over the last couple of years, with the hierarchy backing numerous managers in their attempts for success at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have spent around £800m since the summer of 2022 alone, but so far their spending has failed to catapult them to any immediate success in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim was only able to guide the side to a 15th-place finish last season, with such a campaign their worst-ever since the division’s formation in 1992.
The manager has since been handed his marching orders at the Theatre of Dreams, which could see Michael Carrick handed the manager’s job on a permanent basis this summer.
However, regardless of who’s in charge, it appears as though the new manager could be handed various top-level players to aid him in his quest for success in the role.
United targeting summer move for top-level talisman
Over the last couple of weeks, United have been touted with numerous moves for a new centre-forward, that’s despite spending £70m on Benjamin Sesko in the summer.
Bournemouth star Eli Kroupi Junior is one of the players who has appeared on their radar in recent weeks, after netting eight goals for the Cherries so far this campaign.
However, any deal could likely be an expensive one for the Red Devils, with Andoni Iraola’s men currently demanding a fee in the region of £80m to offload the 19-year-old.
As a result, other options are being considered by the hierarchy at present, with Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson a player who’s also on the radar ahead of the off-season.
According to TEAMtalk, the Senegalese international, who’s currently on loan at Bayern Munich, is hugely admired by the staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
The report also states the player is set to return to Stamford Bridge and turn down a permanent move to the Bundesliga, which could allow the Red Devils to swoop in for his signature.
It further confirms that competition for his signature will be high during the summer window, with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa all racing to land the 24-year-old.
Why Jackson would be perfect alongside Bruno at United
Despite United’s struggles in the Premier League in recent years, midfielder Bruno Fernandes has often been the shining light and saved the club from complete embarrassment.
The Portuguese international, who joined from Sporting CP in 2020, has now racked up 315 appearances for the Red Devils, even scoring 104 goals during that time.
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A number of their additions haven’t lived up to expectations.
During the current campaign, he’s already registered six goals and 13 assists in his 25 appearances, with no player in the senior ranks racking up more combined goal contributions.
The 31-year-old has no doubt been the club’s most influential player in recent seasons, with Bruno needing more arrivals at Old Trafford to help relieve the pressure on his shoulders.
A deal for Jackson could see the club land an excellent attacking option, especially if he can replicate his performances from his season at Chelsea back in 2024/25.
The 24-year-old ended the campaign on 13 goals from his 37 appearances, subsequently handing the Red Devils the added attacking threat they’ve been searching for in recent months.
His goalscoring tally is impressive given the Blues’ struggles in recent seasons, but it’s the Senegalese international’s underlying stats that could make him a huge asset alongside Bruno.
Jackson, who’s been dubbed “unbelievable” by Peter Crouch, achieved a 46% shot on target accuracy rate, whilst registering a staggering 1.4 shots on target per 90.
|
Nicolas Jackson – Chelsea stats in 2024/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
30 |
|
Goals & assists |
15 |
|
Shot on target accuracy |
46% |
|
Pass accuracy |
76% |
|
Key passes made |
1.2 |
|
Progressive carries |
1.9 |
|
Carries into opposition box |
1.3 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
2.8 |
The aforementioned figures highlight his ability to work the goalkeeper in the final third, with Bruno having the pinpoint passing ability to pick him out in attacking areas.
He also managed to create 1.3 chances per 90 in the Premier League last season, 0.3 of which were defined as big chances – which could see the United captain handed his own opportunities in front of goal.
The Senegalese international also loves to play on the shoulder of the last defender, which could see him make the most of the Portuguese star’s tally of 3.2 chances per 90 this campaign.
There’s no doubt his move to join Bayern has been a disaster this season, as seen by his tally of just five goals in his 22 appearances across all competitions to date.
However, a return to the Premier League could hand him the fresh lease of life he needs to recapture his form, with United potentially the perfect fit for the Chelsea man.
If he does make the move to Old Trafford and strikes up a deadly partnership with Bruno, there’s no reason why the club’s new manager can’t write a new history for the Red Devils in 2026/27.
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