- Man Utd want a new striker
- Joshua Zirkzee could be sold
- Club won’t be spending big on Benjamin Sesko backup
Manchester United aren’t expected to sign a big-money striker this summer, even if Joshua Zirkzee leaves. The club moved for Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last August in a £74m deal.
Sesko has been a success thus far, especially since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. The Slovenian frontman’s debut campaign saw him find the net 11 times in 30 Premier League games.
The same can’t be said for Zirkzee, who has endured a difficult spell since arriving from Bologna in July 2024. The Dutchman’s future is in doubt after finishing his second season with just two goals in 24 league outings.
Man Utd striker stance
According to Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News, the ideal situation for United is to sell Zirkzee and replace him with a more experienced striker. They want “an older head” who can serve as backup to Sesko.
Marshall presents Danny Welbeck as a “good fit”, and the Brighton & Hove Albion forward started his career with the Reds. The 35-year-old also knows Carrick well, having even been a teammate of the head coach during his playing career.
United won’t be paying a big fee for another marquee striker. They believe Sesko can be the lead man up top for years to come and are enthused by his promising first season.
That might frustrate a few fans who believe another top-quality centre-forward should be added to Carrick’s squad. The successful teams of the past often boasted several world-class number nines, including Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez in 2008.
Carrick does have the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as options up front. They have been playing out on the wing for most of their tenure, but their versatility allows them to operate as the focal point of an attack.
Free agency solution
A potential free agent could be a solution with several intriguing names available on the market. That includes Robert Lewandowski, who has left Barcelona and is available to sign on a free transfer.
The only issue with the likes of Lewandowski and strikers of his ilk is his wage demands. While United wouldn’t have to pay a transfer fee, they’d still have to offer a handsome salary to the iconic Pole, who is now 37.
