Manchester United are hopeful of adding a new striker to their squad this summer and their latest plan shows that they are willing to follow Cristiano Ronaldo ’s transfer plan.
The Portuguese superstar is about to enter the final year of his Old Trafford contract and it is thought that he will remain at the club until the summer of 2023. As outlined by a report in The Athletic, Ronaldo is hopeful United adapt a new tactic ahead of next season that will bring the best out of his form.
That transfer plan could be complemented by Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who is now thought to be a leading candidate for the role. The Dutchman, 52, met with United bosses last week to talk about becoming their new manager.
Ajax were left stunned by Benfica in the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League – with the winning goal headed in by the Portuguese side’s striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan striker has been linked with a Premier League move this summer due to his exploits this campaign.
The 22-year-old had already starred in this season’s Champions League and most notably in the group stage victory over Barcelona, where the striker bagged a brace in the 3-0 win over the Catalan side. But his headed goal in Amsterdam was the biggest moment of his stint at the club yet.
Signed in a notable £20million deal from Spanish second division side Almeria in 2020, he has now blossomed into one of Europe’s top attacking talents. Nunez has already netted 26 goals this campaign for Benfica and had been the club’s standout player.
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The latest report combines the fact that Ronaldo wants to play alongside another striker next season for United – with Edinson Cavani set to leave the club as a free agent this summer. That leaves the squad notably light on attacking players, especially with Ronaldo unlikely to continue his stint at Old Trafford beyond 2023.
Nunez – who Ten Hag has noticed first-hand on the European stage – is a candidate to be United’s summer striker signing, as it is believed he would fit into the demands of a higher pressing system and would add much-needed energy to the attack. He could be an option who complements Ronaldo’s strengths, which are increasingly limited to a central role due to his advancing years.
This summer promises to be an extraordinarily busy one at United with the appointment of a new manager and the reconstruction of their squad top of their agenda. They will be hopeful of making decisive actions at the earliest possible opportunity with the futures of Ten Hag, Ronaldo and Nunez all likely to be directly impacted.
