Surprised with Manchester United

Rashford has no future at Man Utd.

When Manchester United finished the 2024/25 season with a goal difference of -10, 10 times lower than the previous season (-1), it didn’t take a tactical expert to realise that the biggest problem was in attack. In that context, recruiting a new striker would seem to be the top priority, but the reality at Old Trafford showed a paradox: they were both over-staffed and under-prepared.

"Many but not elite" squad

A quick look at the Man United first team list on the official website will surprise many people. 33 names - a "huge" number for a season without European competition.

But if you remove the unplanned players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, along with young talents like Dan Gore, Ethan Wheatley or Tyler Fredricson, the number of truly "useful" players is only 24 - the minimum to maintain a competitive season.

Notably, the four “problematic” names mentioned above are costing up to £825,000/week, a figure that reflects the reckless spending style that Man United has pursued over the past decade.

Sancho, after four disappointing years and with just one year left on his contract, is virtually worthless. Antony, even if he makes a bit of a market, is unlikely to fetch more than £30m – less than half his original asking price. Rashford is struggling both with his wages (£300,000 a week) and his attitude, making a loan the most likely option.

Jadon Sancho is about to be released by Manchester United.

In theory, United are not short of strikers. Rasmus Hojlund (£64m) and Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5m) were two expensive signings in quick succession. But in reality, they have never really provided a true “locomotive” feel up front.

Zirkzee, despite his technical ability, is not a typical centre-forward. And Hojlund, despite scoring 10 Premier League goals last season, has shown his immaturity in movement and finishing - to the point where the club considered selling him this summer. Inter Milan even made an enquiry about the Danish striker in June.

From expectation to disillusionment after just one season, Man United are feeling that the price of 64 million pounds for Hojlund is a gamble not worth it.

The contradictions of an outdated transfer system

Man United, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and new technical director Jason Wilcox, are trying to rebuild their sporting foundation. Wilcox - who worked at Man City's academy - "spotted" Liam Delap as a reasonable option: cheap, potential, and had been closely watched. But Delap chose Chelsea, leaving Man United once again out of breath in the market.

Finances are another major sticking point. The club have been open to the supporters’ club about their difficulties in complying with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Meanwhile, a quality striker now costs at least £60-70m – double the club’s budget for Delap.

As a result, targets like Viktor Gyökeres and Hugo Ekitike were soon forgotten, while the only remaining potential name - Benjamin Šeško - has now skyrocketed in price. Despite rejecting Man United in 2022, Šeško has been brought to Carrington by his agent many times. But now, his transfer fee is expected to be no less than 55-60 million pounds, while Leipzig has no reason to sell.

MU under the new owner faces many problems.

In the last four seasons, Man United's most important signings have all arrived very late: Harry Maguire (2019), Casemiro (2022), Hojlund (2023), Manuel Ugarte (2024). Each time it was a "sprint" deal, lacking preparation and difficult to optimize efficiency. That scenario is likely to repeat itself with the striker position this year - except this time, the "Red Devils" cannot wait any longer.

With a -10 goal difference last season - the worst in the Premier League's top 10 - and only 52 goals in 38 games, the Red Devils' scoring efficiency was even worse than Crystal Palace's (55 goals). That is an inexcusable fact. Without a decisive solution to the striker problem, any efforts to rebuild tactics or reorganize the sports structure will be meaningless.

Manchester United don’t need a flashy signing right now, they need a strategy to get out of their personnel, financial and psychological mess. To get a top-class No. 9, they must reduce wages, clear their inventory and be more decisive at the negotiating table. Otherwise, the summer transfer window of 2025 will be a replica of the previous failures – with lots of speculation, but no real breakthroughs.

Old Trafford needs a killer – not just in the box, but in the transfer market too. And they need one now.

Source: https://znews.vn/ngo-ngang-voi-manchester-united-post1569072.html