Manchester United’s search for a striker this summer has taken a blow with Viktor Gyokeres closing in on a move to Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim wanted Manchester United to do their transfer business early in time for the start of pre-season training.
However, players returned to Carrington on Monday to prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 season and the only addition so far is the £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha.
Talks are ongoing for Bryan Mbeumo, but United still need a new striker and Amorim wants an “athletic” midfielder added to his squad as well.
Despite Amorim being keen to reunite with him in Manchester, Gyokeres is close to joining Arsenal which shrinks United’s striker search down even more. It means that Amorim might have to make do with what he has.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund during the match against ASEAN All-Stars at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo by Annice Lyn/Manchester United via Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund must step up as Man United striker search slows
The priority this summer was adding more firepower to Amorim’s squad and the double signing of Cunha and Mbeumo should considerably help.
But last season, United fans grew frustrated at Hojlund and his lack of goals. He ended the season with only 10 goals in 52 appearances.
However, Amorim defended Hojlund from criticism last season and put his full faith behind the Danish forward.
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Speaking about Hojlund, Amorim said: “It’s his character and if you know so many players from that kind of character that he has – from that country [Denmark] – they always want more. They want to score, they feel the critic, so it’s a good thing. He will improve.
“A striker needs a very good team to deliver very good balls for him. We are not helping our strikers at the moment.”
Amorim put his reputation on the line and promised that Hojlund “will improve”, and now it is up to the player to repay that faith next season.
Rasmus Hojlund could remain Man United’s No.1 striker next season
Deals for Cunha and Mbeumo will roughly take around £125 million out of the transfer budget this summer, meaning Ineos might have very little to spend on a new striker.
It explains why United have been linked with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but the Everton forward wouldn’t exactly be the x-factor signing that fans have been hoping for.
Instead, it seems more likely that United will bolster their wide options with Cunha and Mbeumo but could stick with Hojlund as the main striker.
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Hojlund arrived in Manchester with huge potential and he has shown glimpses of promise, but his inconsistency has been a big issue.
With United’s full focus on the Premier League next season, Hojlund could compete with Joshua Zirkzee for the striker spot, which will give the 22-year-old one final chance to prove he can lead the line for the Red Devils.