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Calvert-Lewin is unemployed. |
In a summer when the Old Trafford club had made the search for a world-class center-forward a priority, Calvert-Lewin's name raised more questions than answers. And if the deal does go through, it will be a true reflection of how Ineos – the group that has taken over United's football operations – shapes the club's transfer strategy.
The gap in attack and the haunting from last season
Man United ended the 2024/25 season with just 44 Premier League goals - their worst return in nearly half a century. It's not just a sad statistic, but a clear sign of a team lacking vitality, lacking spark and most importantly: lacking a true striker.
Rasmus Hojlund, while promising, is more of a long-term project than an immediate solution, so it's understood that the club will look to add an experienced striker. However, Calvert-Lewin - with just three goals last season and a series of persistent injuries - is a question mark for many.
At 28, Calvert-Lewin should be at the peak of his career. But instead of progressing, he has stagnated, and even regressed. Released by Everton after a disappointing season, the English striker is no longer the version that once made Premier League defenses fear him. For Man United to consider him as a potential target is a step backwards, or worse, a "fire-fighting" decision in a tight market.
And that's what worries fans: if Calvert-Lewin is the poster boy for Ineos' transfer plans, then where do their ambitions really lie?
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Calvert-Lewin has been plagued by injuries recently. |
Under Ineos, United have renewed not to spend money as recklessly as in previous years. Compliance with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations is a must, especially as the club has yet to make any money from player sales. Caution is warranted – especially as they move towards a more sustainable model.
However, that caution is in danger of turning into passivity. While rivals such as Arsenal are closing in on Viktor Gyokeres - a powerful and effective striker - United are still struggling with a list of unconvincing options. Names such as Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike, while promising, are expensive and unlikely to be keen on the prospect of playing for a team in transition.
When Expectations Meet Reality
It can be said that Ineos is having to solve a problem with too many variables: financial limits, the quality of the current squad, the attraction of Man United in the eyes of the stars, and the huge pressure from the fans. The inability to activate a truly "big" deal in the attack has caused anxiety to spread, especially when the pre-season has begun and the new season is less than two months away.
Calvert-Lewin, if signed, would not be the cause of the problem – but the most obvious manifestation of it. A safe, cheap option that will fill the squad but will not bring excitement or innovation. And in the fiercely competitive Premier League, such “temporary solutions” are unlikely to deliver lasting results.
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Calvert-Lewin is not highly regarded by experts. |
Manchester United fans have every right to expect big-money, game-changing signings. But the reality is that the club is rebuilding from the ground up, and in the process, it may have to make less glamorous decisions. The question is: are these decisions strategic steps in a long-term plan, or just hasty patchwork due to lack of options?
If Calvert-Lewin does arrive at Old Trafford, it will be more than just a signing – it will be a silent statement of how Ineos is reorienting United. And as such, it deserves to be seen as the first – and crucial – test of the Red Devils' rebuilding ambitions.
Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-la-calvert-lewin-post1567023.html
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