The quest for a new striker so far has proved tricky for Manchester United, with limited funds and no Champions League football seeing the top targets out of reach.
Ineos‘ number one challenge this summer was always going to be fixing the misfiring attack, which scored just 44 goals in the Premier League season.
Manchester United had somehow built one of the most expensive yet worst frontlines in the league. As a result, this summer, the club are in the process of completely overhauling the attack with Matheus Cunha’s arrival the beginning.
Next, United plans to sign Bryan Mbeumo eventually, after months of negotiations, before moving on to sales. This process is underway with United telling four forwards not to return to pre-season, while it is widely assumed that Rasmus Hojlund will also depart.
This will leave United needing a new number nine and having exhausted options around Europe, Ineos may be turning to the free agent market.
Manchester United making move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin
The free agent market this summer was a strong crop, with United missing out on signing Jonathan David from Lille, deciding against making a move due to wages and fees for the 25-goal Canadian.
However, there is still a chance United will make moves in the free agency, although it is not news that any fan will be thrilled by.
It comes according to Alan Nixon and The Sun that United are now set to make a move to sign former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for free.
After leaving Everton earlier this month upon the expiry of his contract, United are in the race for the English number nine. Ruben Amorim is keen to snap up Calvert-Lewin, with knowledge of finances being stretched.
The report adds that United have already reached out to the 28-year-old to gauge his interest in making a move, with the club believing he would be the perfect back-up option as a third or fourth-choice striker.
United could offer Calvert-Lewin a lucrative contract, but the question remains: should they?
Manchester United gain virtually nothing by signing Calvert-Lewin
Going back to 2020, Manchester United were interested in Calvert-Lewin, who was at the time a 23-year-old striker playing his best football under Carlo Ancelotti.
The legendary coach currently managing Brazil had big praise for the Toffees star at the time, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“He is a complete striker. It is not easy to find a striker with these characteristics.”
However, this was five years ago, and last season, Calvert-Lewin scored just three goals in the Premier League through 26 appearances, with just one scored since the 14th of September.
This record is alarmingly similar to Rasmus Hojlund in attack. Calver-Lewin’s only real qualities come in his defensive play as he works hard and wins a lot aerially, but is this enough to warrant paying his upwards of £100,000-a-week wage?
We wouldn’t think so, but Ineos might. Ultimately, if Amorim wants him, then we will have to come to terms, but as of now, it seems like a disaster deal, even if only on a one-year contract.
This is without mentioning the injury record, which makes just makes it just too risky and not what Ineos have been about so far since taking the helm.
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