- Manchester United monitoring highly-rated Inter Milan youngster
- United scouts present for 20-year-old striker Pio Esposito in latest Italy game
- Reds must balance options after Hojlund was the last young striker to flop
Manchester United are banking on Joshua Zirkzee leaving Old Trafford this summer to fund further arrivals up front.
Last summer saw Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha arrive to much fanfare. All three signings ultimately impressed by reaching double figures in the Premier League. Although this summer won’t warrant any overhaul in attack, a second striker could be added in order to supplement Sesko as a number nine.
Much of it seems likely to depend on Zirkzee leaving the club. Michael Carrick has not favoured the Dutchman in his time in charge. With the 44-year-old taking the reins next campaign, Zirkzee’s prospects in Manchester look bleak.
Manchester United Target Italian Striker
According to TEAMtalk‘s Graeme Bailey, the player that the Red Devils are monitoring is Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito. The 20-year-old featured 48 times in all competitions for the Nerazzurri in 2025/26, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists – including 22 starts for the Serie A side.
The report states that “Man Utd scouts were present for Italy’s recent fixtures against Luxembourg and Greece”. Esposito found the net in both games, which was a good, timely showing. Although the Italians will not be featuring in the World Cup, the young striker has an impressive record for his national side with 5 goals in 9 caps.
Bailey also mentions that United staff believe that the Inter player has the “attributes to develop into a top-level centre-forward”. Currently, the Reds have only got Sesko as their recognised senior number nine heading into the new season.
Hojlund Repeat Must Not Happen
United’s recruitment staff continue to track Esposito, but INEOS must reflect on an important lesson from the last time they invested in a young Serie A striker.
When United failed to sign Harry Kane under Erik ten Hag, a raw Rasmus Hojlund was thrust into the spotlight of a starting Premier League role. This was despite having a limited amount of senior football to his name. Albeit, Esposito has a much more defined resume, having played a part in Inter’s double of winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia. However, Hojlund suffered from a lack of a shoulder to rely on for goals.
Luckily for Esposito, Sesko has already completed a season at the top of United’s attack. The young Italian possesses all the raw attributes of a modern centre-forward, but talent alone is sometimes not enough. Having the right environment matters. Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting hierarchy, United have created a much better structure for someone like Esposito to thrive.
The question is whether a veteran ‘second’ striker should be preferred to a young starlet, at least for this summer. The other factor is Zirkzee’s departure, which, given his recent poor outings in red colours, makes it difficult to move the former Bologna man on.
