Andre Onana’s recent obvious error may have strengthened searches for new goalkeepers, but for Manchester United, it is certainly a forward line that needs to be strengthened as far as priority positions go.
Joshua Zilky, who revived his United career after fighting Newcastle United in December, scored a key goal mid-week, but his back post header was just seventh in all competitions this season.
The versatile attacker has been forced to line up in the sometimes-perhaps unsuitable centre-forward berth due to problems with his teammate Rasmus Hojlund, and after recording a total of 11 touches, it appears to be out of vibrancy again on Thursday night.
In all, the former Atalanta starlet scored only eight goals in all aspects in 2024/25, but fellow forward Alejandro Garnacho improved that tally with nine of his own, chipping in with just two goals since Reuben Amorim took charge.
Amad Diallo is currently on the sidelines, with things like Antony and Marcus Rashford being shipped on loan, but attack units appear to be particularly exhausted.
Search for the latest Man UTD forwards
Recent reports show United appear to be ready to raid fellow Premier League sides for their valuable possessions in athletic reports that both Liam Dellup and Matthew Cunya are under consideration.
For the Wolverhampton Wanderers star, the Brazilian who scored 13 league goals this season is considered a potential solution in one of two number 10 berths in Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up, operating on the side or central in Molinawe this season.
The 25-year-old has already outlined his desire to “take the next step” in his career, and the suitor has managed to land the former Atletico Madrid man this summer for £62.5 million.
Transfer focus
Mega Money deals, controversial moves, famous flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinions across Football FanCust.
However, reports in Spain say the Red Devils are also considering attacks on alternatives, claiming that Amorim and Co are preparing an offer for Paris Saint-Germain starlet Desiredou.
The 19-year-old, who joined the League One Championship champion on a 50 million euro (£42 million) contract last summer, appears to have attracted the attention of Old Trafford’s hierarchy in his stunning display this season, with the French being considered “one of their important future prospects.”
However, according to the work, no deal would be cheap. It remains to be seen whether Luis Enrique’s part is willing to acquire cash very quickly.
How Désiré Doué compares to Matheus Cunha
The main advantage of landing Cunha this summer is that the in-demand forward has already proven himself in the Premier League, as he scored directly from the corner in a 2-0 victory at Molineus on Boxing Day with Molineux.
This ensures that the £62.5 million man will become a ready-made solution as far as Amorim is concerned, but it’s hard to deny Doué representing the greater talent, and has been praised by data analyst Ben Mattinson as “one of the best games today.”
In fact, the teenagers rifled in a stunning curl ring effort that had PSG’s final 3-1 Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, ultimately 3-1, and had Villa Martinez not had a chance at the Villa goal.
With that effort, the former Rennes starlet already has six goals, supporting his name in 12 outings in Europe’s top tier competition this season, earning a total of 24 goals involved in 2024/25. In contrast, Cunha has 19 goal contributions from Old Gold.
Doo, which can operate on the attacking midfielder or side, would be the ideal choice for the 10 berth numbers of Amorim’s system.
Cunha vs Doue – Key Statistics (last 365 days) | ||
|---|---|---|
Condition (per 90) | Cunya | Do |
Non-penalty goals | 0.56 | 0.33 |
assist | 0.18 | 0.33 |
Shot creation action | 3.82 | 4.93 |
Progressive Pass | 4.69 | 6.41 |
Progressive Carry | 3.68 | 5.71 |
A successful take-on | 2.03 | 3.34 |
Pass completed | 71.6% | 80.7% |
Tackle | 1.23 | 1.93 |
Intercept | 0.56 | 0.74 |
Statistics via FBREF | ||
What sets Doué apart is how strong he is across a wide range of metrics, as he has outperformed Cunha in terms of both offensive and defensive contributions over the past 365 days.
It is not surprising that the human age, potential and current performance of PSG has caught the eye of people in the Theatre of Dreams by allowing him to represent a greater investment than the capture of Cunha.
Now the challenge will try to pick him out of the Parc de Princess…
Related
He is better than Delap: Man in lecture to sign “sensenal” pl star utd
Manchester United have forgotten about Liam Dellup and another striker is firmly on the radar.