Photo by David S. Bustamante/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Photo by David S. Bustamante/Real Madrid via Getty Images
Manchester United could do a lot worse than signing Real Madrid and Brazil starlet Endrick to bolster Michael Carrick’s striker options ahead of the new season.
In an interesting development, journalist Ramon Alvarez claims that Endrick’s agency, Roc Nation, is working on securing a loan move to the Premier League for the Real Madrid striker.
It is understood that Real Madrid are in agreement that the 20-year-old would benefit from a loan move, after securing a £120m deal to sign Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
This presents an opportunity United would be foolish to pass on unless they have another striker in mind before the deadline.
Endrick training in the gym
Photo by Victor Carretero/Real Madrid via Getty Images
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Man Utd will struggle to find a better striker deal than Endrick loan
News that Benjamin Sesko will miss yet another pre-season friendly match this season means the Slovenian is likely to go into the 2026/27 campaign without any minutes under his belt.
This also means United have left it late to get a back-up striker in, not just to provide cover but to help the team hit the ground running when the competitive games begin.
Joshua Zirkzee is the only other recognised striker in the squad to challenge Sesko, but he hasn’t cut the mustard since signing for United in 2024. We don’t need another underwhelming pre-season campaign to tell us that.
Thankfully, there have been reports of Zirkzee leaving for Juventus in recent weeks. Surely an exit would force United to move into the striker market?
I would argue that United should have been looking at strikers regardless because the Netherlands international has never had an eye for goal, which isn’t good enough when you’re playing for United as a forward – even as a back-up option.
While Endrick isn’t the finished product, he would give Carrick some much-needed depth in the striker department. Plus, Real Madrid wouldn’t need to worry about his development, as there will be plenty of games for the young Brazilian between the Premier League and the Champions League.
After spending the second half of the past season on loan at Lyon, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances across all competitions, Endrick earned a place in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup. The inexperienced forward played a secondary role to Matheus Cunha on the bench throughout the tournament.
Having returned to pre-season training at Real Madrid, it remains to be seen if Endrick will be part of Jose Mourinho’s plans, but signals from Roc Nation suggest he could be on the move this summer.
United would be silly not to give a loan move for Endrick serious consideration because there are not many top strikers available in the market as things stand.
⚡️ KEY TAKEAWAYS
Reports suggest Endrick’s representatives are looking for a loan move away from Real Madrid in the Premier League
Manchester United need a striker regardless of Joshua Zirkzee’s future to provide cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko
Endrick presents an opportunity at a time there is a shortage of top strikers in the market
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A loan could lead to something bigger for Endrick at Man Utd
A loan deal would likely include a clause for future deals, but that could equally prove to be a stumbling block for Real Madrid.
The Spanish club may be reluctant to lose Endrick on a permanent deal, preferring to see how he develops on the continent, but United have more power than most clubs because – like Real Madrid – they’re the biggest.
It remains to be seen if United have any interest in Endrick, though the latest news concerning his future should really put the Reds on alert.
Endrick has already proven himself during a short stint in France, but playing in the Premier League would give him a much bigger audience to showcase his ability.