Roque has become a sensation in Brazil since making his professional debut in 2021.placeholder image
Roque has become a sensation in Brazil since making his professional debut in 2021. | AFP via Getty Images
Man United will continue to rebuild under Ruben Amorim in January with a Brazilian prodigy being considered for the forward line.
Manchester United’s squad still needs a lot of work over the next two transfer windows with one very obvious area that must be addressed.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he always made sure that his team had the sort of forwards who could score goals and win games even if the team wasn’t playing well. The legendary Red Devils boss would accumulate a variety of strikers from out and out goalscorers, to mercurial playmakers to turning wingers like Cristiano Ronaldo into prolific bagsmen. One thing is certain, he never built a squad that relied on just one player to score goals.
Man United need to add quality up front
Compare and contrast to the present day Man United squad and Ruben Amorim has Benjamin Sesko and then has to play someone out of position when he isn’t available. Rasmus Hojlund isn’t exactly tearing up Serie A, but with seven goals and three assists in a little over 1,300 minutes, the Denmark international is proving that he is capable of leading the line on his own.
What doesn’t make sense is that United operated a one out, one in policy whilst also letting Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho leave Old Trafford. Their respective contributions can be questioned, but it is a lot of depth in terms of attacking options. What Amorim needs, if he is to take United back up to the sharp end of the table, is options up front. Alongside Sesko, he needs a similar style of player in terms of profile so that the game plan doesn’t have to change if he is injured or needs to be rotated and there should also be variety in terms of pace or age.
Man United linked with Brazilian prodigy
According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tovolieri, United could be ready to compete with the latest prodigy coming out of Brazil to bolster the attack and provide Sesko with some competition: “Chelsea are making serious efforts to sign Vitor Roque, Palmeiras' new rising star. The 20-year-old Brazilian striker has exploded onto the scene in Brazil, scoring 15 goals in his last 20 matches and becoming the third-highest scorer in the Brasileirão.
“Called up to the Seleção for the upcoming international break, Roque is also attracting interest from Manchester United, but Chelsea seem far more concrete in their approach. The Blues see him as a future-proof reinforcement capable of energising their attack, reflecting their recruitment policy focused on youth and long-term potential.”
The one advantage that United has just now is a pathway. With just Sesko as a natural no.9 and Joshua Zirkzee being linked with a move to Roma, there would be game time available immediately for Roque either off the bench or as a rotational option. The decks have been cleared, United now have to build a squad that can compete now and for the future.
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