Michael Owen believes Manchester United should have taken a chance on Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the striker left Everton and joined Leeds United on a free transfer in 2025.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has since found his footing at Leeds United, prompting Owen to argue earlier this month that United missed an opportunity by not making a move for the England international when he was available.
However, former Manchester United scout Mick Brown has now played down any possibility of Calvert-Lewin moving to Old Trafford.
Brown told Football Insider that he has been informed there is currently no interest from United in signing the Leeds striker. His comments come at a time when questions remain over the club’s options in the centre-forward position.
United spent the bulk of their summer transfer budget on midfield targets, bringing in Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Carlos Baleba from Brighton after Casemiro’s departure.
Manchester United have limited options upfront
At one stage, it appeared the club could also add another striker. Joshua Zirkzee was expected to leave during the summer, and reports suggested United would look to replace him if a deal was completed.
That never happened. Joshua Zirkzee stayed, and with Benjamin Sesko currently unavailable through injury, he is United’s only recognised back-up striker. Michael Carrick has instead used Matheus Cunha through the middle so far this season.
The issue has become more noticeable because Sesko has been working his way back from a shin problem, while Cunha is being used in a position that is not considered his natural one. That has left Carrick with limited choices when he wants a recognised striker.
Zirkzee was linked with a departure during the transfer window, particularly with interest from Italy, but no agreement was reached and the Netherlands international remained at Old Trafford.
Man Utd told Calvert-Lewin move is unlikely
Despite the situation, Brown insists Calvert-Lewin is not being considered by United.
“I’m told there’s nothing in the links with Calvert-Lewin and Man United,” Brown told Football Insider.
He also questioned Owen’s argument that United should have signed the striker before his move to Leeds.
“It’s very easy for Michael Owen to come out now when he’s scoring goals and playing well, but nobody was saying Man United should have signed him at the time,” Brown said.
The former scout pointed towards Calvert-Lewin’s struggles at Everton before his departure, particularly his fitness record and form in front of goal.
“He was struggling with fitness, struggling in front of goal, and Everton decided to let him go on a free. It would have been a strange move for Man United to make.”
Brown did acknowledge that Calvert-Lewin is now showing the qualities that many expected from him earlier in his career.
“I’m glad he’s finally showing the sort of form everybody expected of him, but Man United are not going to make a move for him,” he added.
United could still decide to add another striker in the future, particularly if Carrick wants greater competition for Sesko. Brown expects the club to look elsewhere rather than attempt to bring Calvert-Lewin from Leeds.
“They might want a new striker to compete with Sesko, but I expect they’ll be looking elsewhere, which some will see as a surprise, although it would be difficult to do a deal with Leeds anyway.”
United appear set to continue with their current options up front, despite the ongoing discussion around whether another centre-forward should have been added during the summer.
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