Manchester United are favouring the recruitment of an experienced striker by targeting the likes of Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins. The United fanbase have also persistently enjoyed watching their team linked with prolific strikers like Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
The drastic shift in their preferences is down to the new manager, Ruben Amorim, and their poor past market experiences. Currently, the Red Devils are pushing for the deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford after acquiring Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.
Both versatile attackers performed spectacularly for their respective Premier League clubs, consistently contributing with important goals and assists last season. The reason United have targeted such players is that Amorim wants quality over quantity after enduring a dreadful tenure’s start.
Manchester United are favouring an experienced striker like Ollie Watkins, rather than relying on their young options, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Amorim operated similarly during his successful tenure with Sporting CP, making a drastic squad overhaul, which surprised the club’s fanbase. The Portuguese boss bought the players that suited his 3-4-2-1 style of play, trusting his philosophy and demanding full commitment.
Amorim has done the same thing here, putting many players on the sale list to make room for new players. However, United are lacking a big piece of the puzzle, and that is why Amorim has prioritised the attacking department.
Currently, United have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their striker options in the squad, with operating below their potential. Unlike the past where United had the luxury to hone these youngsters, the club are facing problems with ruthless solutions.
United and Amorim’s future will hang in the balance if they continue to perform badly after finishing 15th last season. The Red Devils need a reliable number nine, capable of contributing consistently as Gyokeres contributed for Amorim at Sporting Lisbon.
The reason why United are right to target experienced strikers
United bought Hojlund for £72m and Zirkzee for £36.5m, which makes them worth £108.5m combined for the club. However, the failure of both players, with the common denominator being their young age, highlights what United lacks.
We All Follow United covered when Fabrizio Romano reported that the Red Devils refused to pay £68.3m for Arsenal-bound Gyokeres. However, their interest in the Swede showed that the club wants players with a proven calibre in Europe and a strong scoring record.
Recently, Romano also squashed the rumours linking the Red Devils with Napoli star Osimhen, another proven goalscorer in European football. The Italian journalist highlighted the €75m release clause as a factor, showcasing that United are not ready to spend big unless they are completely sure.
Which brings us to Villa star Watkins, a proven Premier League goalscorer who is currently operating in his prime. The Athletic reported that United want Watkins from Villa and are willing to sell Hojlund to finance that deal.
The 29-year-old scored 17 goals and 14 assists from 54 appearances in all competitions for Vila last season. The England international clicks all the boxes in a profile of a player that Amorim needs, and also someone to break the failed pattern of the past when it comes to signing a striker.
However, any potential deal is not as simple as United fans would like it to be. The Villans have performed well under Unai Emery and remain a strong club to beat in the Premier League.
Furthermore, the £60m price tag is a big obstacle for financially limited United, but unlike Gyokeres and Osimhen, Watkins’ Premier League proven status could push the Red Devils to take the risk.
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Rest assured, the transfer market is incredibly inflated, while an attacker remains a necessity for the club. United also have Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike in their shortlist, who commands £85.5m valuation at the moment.