Old Trafford night
It feels like it’s been ages since the last time Man Utd played a game of football and that has been the case due to the international break and the subsequent FA Cup commitments that they were not a part of.
This gap should have given Ruben Amorim the chance to work with the squad, almost like a short pre-season and try and instill some of his ideas in the players.
News –Amorim pushing Man Utd to pay £70million and sign versatile attacker – Report
The Red Devils were showing some kind of improvement in the style of football just before the international break.
Although it is nothing to gloat about, it seemed to hint at some kind of development under the Portuguese tactician and potentially, some hope for the future where they could get even better.
Ruben Amorim on his part will also surely have one eye on the summer transfer window that is not too far away as he will understand the importance of addressing the issues in the Man Utd squad and bringing in potential reinforcements going forward.
That said, the coach will also know that the club are not financially blessed and might have to sell to buy in the upcoming transfer window.
As per Bild.de (press image below), Man Utd have to agree a fee of around £67million to sign Liverpool target, Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old Frenchman is playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga and has been tearing it up with his performances and goals so far this season.
The ex-PSG youngster has netted 19 times so far this season along with dazzling with his overall play and also has interest from Arsenal. His performances are bound to attract the interest of Europe’s elite and there is little doubt that it is a matter of where rather than if he will get a transfer in the upcoming months.
Man Utd’s biggest woe thus far this season has been the lack of goals from their designated strikers. Rasmus Hojlund has struggled to find the back of the net although he broke that drought just before the international break while Joshua Zirkzee has shown that although he might not be a prolific goal scorer, he is much more than just that and needs to be used differently.
Getting someone like Ekitike would be betting on potential yet again rather than a proven track record and Man Utd are not in a position where they can afford a gamble on yet another young number nine.
The Frenchman needs to find a way to develop at a club where he doesn’t have the pressure that he would at Man Utd and this is a transfer that feels set up to fail.
If Ruben Amorim wants a striker in the upcoming window, the Red Devils would be better off investing in a number nine who has the track record of scoring goals for a top club, preferably in the Premier league.
However, this is a catch-22 situation for the club and let’s wait and see how they go about the same and if they make a move to sign Ekitike.