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Manchester United's move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin is controversial. |
Manchester United are facing a challenging summer transfer window in 2025, especially in their search for a new striker to improve their weak attack. In that context, the team's targeting of Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer has been criticized quite a lot.
Calvert-Lewin will hardly help MU become stronger
Manchester United endured a disappointing 2024/25 season under manager Ruben Amorim, finishing 15th in the Premier League - their worst finish since relegation in the 1970s. With just 44 goals in 38 games, the 'Red Devils' were one of the four teams with the lowest goalscoring in the league last season.
The club's poor attack has forced them to look for a new striker, but top targets such as Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP) or Sesko (Leipzig) have become difficult to approach due to high prices and competition from Arsenal and other big clubs.
Other names such as Victor Osimhen or Hugo Ekitike are also expensive and are unlikely to want to join Old Trafford, in the context of the team being unable to participate in European Cup next season. In that context, the British media believes that Manchester United have contacted Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the 28-year-old player who just left Everton on a free transfer.
Manchester United's board want to recruit Calvert-Lewin as a backup option, taking advantage of his Premier League experience in the context of the team having to consider financial restrictions under the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
However, MU's move to target Calvert-Lewin is considered by many experts and fans to be a wrong move. Firstly, the former Everton striker's form has declined significantly. In the 2024/25 season, Calvert-Lewin only scored 3 goals in 26 matches for Everton, a terrible number compared to his peak in 2020/21 when he scored 16 goals in the Premier League.
According to ESPN , persistent injuries, including knee and hamstring problems, have seen him miss more than 100 games in total over the last three seasons. At 28, Calvert-Lewin appears to be past his prime, and signing a player in decline is a big risk for Man United.
If Calvert-Lewin cannot help Everton improve, the possibility of him helping the "Red Devils" attack improve next season is very low. It is important to remember that MU's strikers are in a state of serious loss of confidence, and Calvert-Lewin's competitive mentality is not better than Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, due to a long period of decline.
Inconsistency
The deal also goes against the ambitions of INEOS, which is trying to restructure Manchester United to return to the top. INEOS has committed to building the team with quality signings, such as the £62.5m signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in the early summer of 2025.
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Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to meet the expectations of a team looking to return to the top like MU. |
However, targeting a reserve striker like Calvert-Lewin, who is only suitable as a third or fourth option, is seen as lacking ambition. According to The Athletic , Manchester United need a top-class striker who can lead the line, similar to Harry Kane or Erling Haaland, rather than a player who is inconsistent.
The deal also reflects a lack of consistency in Manchester United's transfer strategy. The club have been criticised in the past for spending money inefficiently, and signing Calvert-Lewin could repeat that mistake.
Rather than investing in a young, promising striker, Calvert-Lewin shows a lack of vision and direction. Remember, INEOS have committed to buying young players with great potential. Calvert-Lewin cannot be that kind of signing.
Although there is still time to sign players in the summer of 2025, the pressure is mounting at Old Trafford as Amorim's squad begins to reunite for pre-season training this week. The delay in strengthening the squad, especially in the striker position, has caused Amorim to struggle.
On social media, many Manchester United fans expressed their disappointment with this deal. One MU fan wrote: “Calvert-Lewin? What a joke. We need a top striker, not an out-of-date player from Everton!”
Many fans have also called on INEOS to act quickly. If Gyökeres is not a possibility, the club should look to Osimhen or someone more worthy. Of course, the Calvert-Lewin deal has some positives. He brings Premier League experience and can play a back-up role without commanding a big salary.
Given the current financial situation, Manchester United need to find cost-effective options to balance their squad. However, the risk of signing a player who is out of form and prone to injury is still high. If Calvert-Lewin fails to regain his form, Manchester United risk repeating the mistakes of previous failed cheap signings.
Source: https://znews.vn/mu-chon-calvert-lewin-khong-khac-nao-tro-lo-post1567018.html
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