Wolves ace Matheus Cunha tries to advance away from Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho.
Matheus Cunha is a top target for Manchester United this summer.
Manchester United are now less than three weeks away from the start of the summer transfer window.
Following a forgettable domestic campaign that could still see them finish just one place above the Premier League's relegation zone, United are in desperate need of a reset this summer to kick-start the Ruben Amorim era.
United are planning to make a raft of much-needed changes during the off-season, with the upcoming transfer window marking Amorim's first meaningful chance to put his own stamp on the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag last November.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, United are planning to make at least three priority signings, with their attacking department set to be an area of focus. Outgoings are also expected, with the club targeting at least ten departures.
Ahead of what promises to be a crucially important window for United, MEN Sport has had a look at what deals United should be striving to complete to freshen up their attacking department.
Outgoings:
With United planning for at least ten departures in this summer's transfer window, it is increasingly likely there will be more outgoings than incomings at Old Trafford.
They started the process in January, allowing a cluster of players to leave on loan for the remainder of the season. The exits that were sanctioned featured the high profile departures of Marcus Rashford and Antony, who joined Aston Villa and Real Betis on loan respectively.
United want to sell both players on permanent deals this summer, with it understood the club has no plans to reintegrate Rashford into Amorim's squad. He could well move abroad.
Antony's performances and numbers at Betis have seen him create a market for himself ahead of the transfer window opening. He has eight goals and five assists in 23 games for the Spanish club, helping them reach the Europa Conference League final.
Betis have already confirmed they hope to sign Antony again this summer, but once again on loan. It could be that another successful loan spell increases Antony's valuation ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window.
However, amid the fact his current contract is up in 2027, United may not gamble on trying to secure a healthy fee for him with as little as 12 months remaining on his deal. The club does have the option to extend his stay until 2028.
Jadon Sancho is also currently out on loan after joining Chelsea last summer. They have triggered the obligation to sign him permanently after guaranteeing they will finish above 15th in the Premier League this season.
However, it's claimed they have a £5million clause within the deal so that they can break free from the agreement to sign him permanently. Whether Chelsea choose to sign Sancho or not, United need to bring this chapter of Sancho's career to an end after four forgettable years.
Despite only being signed from Bologna last summer, United should be looking to cash-in on Joshua Zirkzee. Although he has shown flashes of promise as one of the No.10s in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system, he is not a long-term solution for United.
He was signed as a striker and it quickly became clear that he was not a No.9, and his tally of seven goals this season highlights that. United would have to accept a financial loss on him this summer, but keeping him beyond the September 1 deadline would almost certainly only delay the inevitable.
Incomings:
Never have United needed a striker as desperately as they do this summer. In the Premier League, they have struggled for goals throughout the campaign and they need to upgrade their attacking options.
Although links connecting United with Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen continue, Ipswich Town ace Liam Delap is currently a leading target for the Reds to strengthen their forward line. He has scored 12 goals for relegated Ipswich this season and he will be available this summer for £30m.
The former Manchester City youngster is a prime target for United to bolster their No.9 options and has done very well for the Tractor Boys this season. The expectation is that he would be signed with a view to becoming United's chief striker and leapfrogging Rasmus Hojlund in the pecking order.
In addition to wanting Delap, United are also targeting Wolves ace Matheus Cunha to occupy one of the two playmaker spots behind the striker. Like Delap, Cunha has enjoyed a productive season in front of goal, scoring 15 times in the Premier League and 17 times across all competitions.
Available for £62.5m, Cunha is understood to be hopeful of securing a move to Old Trafford. He already operates as a playmaker in a 3-4-2-1 formation at Wolves, making him a natural fit for Amorim's system.
United need to try and target Premier League proven players and in Cunha and Delap they are doing exactly that. Of course, Delap is still young and learning on the job, but the theory is that if he can get 12 goals in a team that has been relegated and struggled all season, he can improve with better players around him.
How the attack could look after six deals:
No.10/attacking midfield options: Amad, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Matheus Cunha.
No.9 options: Liam Delap, Rasmus Hojlund, Chido Obi.