Pranav Nair
Alex Crook has backed Manchester United to revamp their front three as INEOS ambitions become clear
Manchester United are entering a new era of leadership and INEOS have big ambitions for the club. Sir Jim Ratcliffe outlined his plans to build the club a new home, dubbed the Wembley of the North and he appears keen to ensure the rebuild also takes place on the field.
A major drawback at Old Trafford has been the poor recruitment over the last few years. Several bid names were brought in for mega bucks only to fall flat and fail to live up to expectations. It is now time for a fresh start as we get the ball rolling.
The likes of Jadon Sancho is a prime example of us flushing money down the drain. A new beginning is needed and it would appear that could be on the agenda next summer.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, a new look frontline could be the way forward for United. Having already brought in Rasmus Hojlund, it is essential that the club bring in the right players for Erik ten Hag to put together a formidable attack.
Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee is one player on United’s radar. However, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are also in the mix for the former Bayern Munich man. Just 22, the youngster is a promising talent who can also play as a supporting striker. Signing him will aid United in deploying Hojlund as a fox in the box.
“There are a lot of Premier League clubs who’ve looked at Zirkzee, and I think Man Utd are probably one of them.”
The Red Devils are also keeping tabs on two other promising talents- RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise. While both players would add considerable forepower, they are unlikely to come cheap.
More so, given the investment in Hojlund, combined with him finding his feet, it makes little sense to bring in two more strikers. We, for one, do not see the club moving for both Sesko and Zirkzee. The former’s salary demands could very well see us opt for the latter.
“Olise is a potential target for Man Utd, and maybe someone like Sesko in the summer who, again, fits the age profile and is young and up-and-coming. He wouldn’t be too expensive in terms of wages.”
Olise, on the other hand, is a versatile player with considerable Premier League experience. However, it is debatable if he will want to move to Old Trafford if we cannot offer him UEFA Champions League football. More so, his injuries also remain a pressing concern.
More Manchester United News
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- Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez will miss around eight weeks of action due to a knee injury
- Manchester United considering Antonio Conte to potentially replace Erik ten Hag
With Alejandro Garnacho also finding his feet, United have the foundations to put together a long-term attacking roster. The era of Anthony Martial and maybe even Marcus Rashford could be coming to an end. As long as the club progresses, ripping up the playbook for an overhaul could be well worth the effort and wait.
