Manchester United are in the midst of an attacking overhaul this summer, but things are far from done.
After a dismal 44-goal campaign, Manchester United needed wholesale attacking changes to change fortunes for the 2025-26 season.
Already, United have announced the arrival of Matheus Cunha, with the Brazilian joining for £62.5m in June from Wolves. Cunha will be an immediate starter in the left number 10 role, but he won’t be alone.
United are closing in on signing Bryan Mbeumo for the right-sided number 10 role, with talks at an advanced stage for Brentford.
However, two additions may not be enough to replace the potential outgoings. United have four attackers on the ‘to sell’ list this summer, and if all are sold there may be scope for further additions.
United’s potential bomb squad could include Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. In this event, United may target an additional attacking signing, however one option might soon be off the table.
Malick Fofana running for Lyon during Europa League.
Photo by Agit Erdi Ulukaya /Anadolu via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Malick Fofana
If United are to bring in another forward after Cunha and Mbeumo, it won’t be a player in his prime but likely a younger talent to support the starting pair.
One name fitting this scenario perfectly is a potential bargain for United in Malick Fofana. The Lyon winger is available for cheap after the French giants were handed relegation.
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United have been linked with Fofana, however, most of the Premier League are interested and now Nottingham Forest have taken steps towards a deal.
This is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that Forest have ‘agreed’ a deal with Lyon for Fofana. Despite this, the race remains open as no agreement has been reached between player and club.
🚨🇧🇪 EXCL: Nottingham Forest have agreed deal with Olympique Lyon for Malick Fofana… but no agreement yet on player side.
Fofana, waiting for Champions League clubs with Chelsea still keen on the player.
Understand Bayern and Napoli have also called to make initial approach. pic.twitter.com/dp8XtwDP9x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2025
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Despite Fofana being pictured in a United kit this week, Romano didn’t mention the Red Devils in relation to the winger.
Fofana is, however, waiting on Champions League clubs to formalise their interest with Chelsea keen on the Belgian. It is added that both Bayern Munich and Napoli have also made their initial approach.
Manchester United don’t have a place for Malick Fofana
There is no denying that Fofana is an excellent prospect and has all the potential to become a world-leading winger, but signing him this summer wouldn’t have made sense.
The Belgium international is an out-and-out winger, which doesn’t make him an ideal fit into Ruben Amorim’s wingerless 3-4-2-1 system.
Fofana would have been an exciting player to use at wing-back, however, even then his work rate and defensive work are unlikely to make him a viable option.
Hopefully, Fofana signs for a club outside of England so that we don’t have to watch him shine every week.
So it is the right move from United not the formalise interest, without even considering the financial aspects of spending likely £150m plus on wingers or number 10s in one summer with several positions needing additions.