The defensive unit has rightly come under the microscope following Manchester United‘s defeat to Hull City, but it was just as alarming how toothless Michael Carrick‘s men looked in attack.
There’s a sense that, after bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha a year ago, United are done and dusted in attack, having made midfield the priority this summer.
And yet, as Saturday’s 2-0 loss highlighted, this is far from a perfect forward line, with Robin van Persie still the last player to hit 20 goals or more in a Premier League campaign for the club.
There have notably been tentative links to Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen so far this summer – could the Nigerian be the man to reinvigorate Carrick’s forward line?
Why Osimhen would be INEOS’ best signing so far
There has been wisdom in INEOS’ recruitment drive over the last 18 months or so, the likes of Jason Wilcox adopting a more measured approach in the transfer market, with the club previously burned by a string of high-profile, expensive signings in the past.
Putting the days of Ed Woodward firmly behind the club is the correct move, but at some stage, the new regime will need to push the boat again, rather than playing it safe.
Indeed, the signing of Osimhen feels like one that would provide that genuine ‘wow’ factor, with Bruno Fernandes still arguably the main man in terms of getting bums off seats at Old Trafford.
For three summers in a row, United have forked out for a young, up-and-coming striker, yet here we are again, with there still question marks surrounding Sesko’s level and status in the side.
11 league goals last term made for impressive reading for the Red Devils’ new supersub, but the Slovenian is still waiting to really explode, scoring just 51 goals in 120 games across his time at RB Leipzig and in Manchester.
|
Osimhen Career Record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Games |
Goals |
|
Napoli |
133 |
76 |
|
Galatasaray |
76 |
63 |
|
Lille |
38 |
18 |
|
Charleroi |
36 |
20 |
|
Wolfsburg |
16 |
0 |
|
Total |
299 |
177 |
|
Nigeria |
52 |
35 |
In Osimhen’s case, meanwhile, the 27-year-old has already scored 63 goals in his first 76 games in Turkey, starting the season in rampant mood with back-to-back Super Lig braces.
He can do it in one of Europe’s big five leagues too, netting 76 in just 133 games for Napoli in the last few years, including firing in 26 league goals to fire the Italian side to the Serie A title in 2022/23.
He’s certainly among the cream of the crop when it comes to Europe’s top strikers, but he’s not the only option under consideration.
How Man Utd could sign their answer to Osimhen on the cheap
Football FanCast exclusively reported this month that Osimhen is actually open to joining United before the deadline, with the club having already held talks with his camp this summer.
The issue is his bumper wage demands and lofty price tag, with a £111m bid from Saudi side Al Hilal already said to have been rebuffed in recent weeks.
The financial package required could put paid to that pursuit, but no matter, United do have other irons in the fire, namely Crystal Palace star, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
According to journalist Alex Crook – speaking to talkSPORT – there is the suggestion that talks have been held regarding a potential deal for the Frenchman, with the 29-year-old having been “offered” to the Red Devils in negotiations.
“A bid’s gone in from Aston Villa [for Mateta]. It was immediately rejected. I’m told it was between 20 and 25 million pounds. So well short of what Crystal Palace would want to sell Mateta for. Manchester United and Tottenham have been offered Mateta. I’m not sure how hot their interest is at the moment.”
Mateta, who saw a move to AC Milan fall through back in January, only has just under a year left on his deal at Selhurst Park, with a move away having looked inevitable this summer.
The free-scoring striker has made his stand pretty clear too amid claims that he’s even contesting the validity of the final 12 months of his contract, with it having been Palace who triggered the extension.
A messy situation is brewing then in south London, but United should well take advantage to secure what is arguably “one of the best forwards in the Premier League“, in the view of Wayne Rooney.
In an era where proper old-school number nines are a dying breed, the likes of Mateta and Osimhen buck the trend, the two men in that mould of forward who can truly occupy a backline on their own.
While not initially a star in English football, Mateta has hit 42 league goals across the last three seasons combined, reaching double figures in each of those campaigns for the Eagles.
He does have a penchant for being profligate, but the beauty of his game is that he so readily manufactures openings for himself, proving such a handful for any backline.
Indeed, the best strikers often miss a bucketload of chances, with Osimhen, for instance, scoring 15 Super Lig goals last term despite missing 23 ‘big chances’. In Mateta’s case, he scored 12 top-flight goals, despite missing 20 ‘big chances’ himself.
There is a completeness to their finishing prowess too, with Osimhen scoring ten with his right, three with his left and two with his head, while Mateta scored five with his head, three with his left and four with his right.
At 27 and 29, respectively, the pair are both seemingly entering their prime, not set to mirror Sesko and co as strikers who will need time to develop and get up to speed in Manchester.
United need someone to deliver the goods now, rather than later down the line, and if Osimhen proves out of reach, Mateta might well be the next best thing.