Manchester United’s decision to leave the summer transfer window without signing another striker reportedly came as a surprise to some of the club’s senior players.
United made midfield their main priority this season after Michael Carrick took charge, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba for a combined £155 million. However, while the midfield was heavily reinforced, the attack was largely left untouched as Benjamin Sesko remains the club’s main centre-forward for the season.
Manchester United players unhappy with striker situation
According to The Athletic, some members of the Manchester United squad felt another striker was required to share the responsibility with Sesko. The report claims there was a feeling that an additional centre-forward would also allow Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to spend more time in their preferred positions.
That issue has already become apparent at the start of the season. Cunha has been used through the middle when required, but the Brazilian is at his best when given freedom to operate behind the striker.
Bryan Mbeumo can also play centrally, as he showed during pre-season and in parts towards the end of last season. Agains, his biggest threat comes from the right, where he can cut inside onto his left foot.
Sesko’s fitness has become particularly important after no additional forwqrd was signed. The Slovenia international missed the whole of pre-season with an injury, but made a return to the Premier League. With multiple fronts open for Manchester United this season, Michael Carrick needs to manage his minutes properly.
United’s options upfront were further reduced by the decision to allow Chido Obi to leave on loan. While Chido Obi has been mainly playing with the U-21s, he has appeared for the first team last season. With no new striker arriving, Joshua Zirkzee is now set for another opportunity at Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee has a bigger role at United
The Dutchman was available for much of the summer as United explored ways of moving him on. Juventus were linked while there were suggestions of a possible return to Italy, but no deal developed far enough for his departure to happen. Everton also made a late enquiry on deadline day, only for that approach to be rejected by Manchester United as they found little to no time managing a replacement for the Dutch international.
Joshua Zirkzee will now remain with Manchester United until at least January and could find himself playing a much bigger role than initially expected.
The lack of attacking investment is even more striking given the money United have spent elsewhere. Alongside the three midfield additions, Karl Darlow also arrived from Leeds on a free transfer. While teenage winger Tynan Thompson joined from Tottenham in a deal worth around £8 million.
Difficult left-back situation for Manchester United
Left-back was another position United considered but ultimately failed to address.
Luke Shaw remains the only recognised senior left-back. It has been reported that Carrick has to contend himself with the available options and use Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as alternatives. Patrick Dorgu has also been used further forward, while Lisandro Martinez and Baleba could provide emergency cover.
United did explore the market late on. They checked on Rayan Ait-Nouri after the Manchester City defender had been offered to them, but City’s willingness to consider only a loan with a sizeable obligation to buy did not appeal to United.
That left Carrick with a squad that has been strengthened significantly in midfield but still carries obvious questions elsewhere.
United’s summer transfer window was clearly focused on rebuilding the centre of the pitch rather than attempting to fix every weakness at once. Yet the decision not to add another striker means there will be considerable pressure on Sesko to stay fit and on Zirkzee to make the most of his unexpected second chance.
