Manchester United could be set to lose out on one of their transfer targets, despite the star confirming he has a Premier League dream.
Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon leaves Rúben Amorim in an interesting position. The United manager will be confident that his side can continue to improve, but concerned with the injury issues that he now has to deal with.
Harry Maguire was forced off with a hamstring injury, Casemiro had to be withdrawn due to “pain” – as Amorim confirmed on BBC’s Match of the Day – and Benjamin Šeško’s injury meant United had to finish the game with 10 men.
While Amorim chose to start the match with Matheus Cunha through the middle instead of Šeško, the Slovenian has played a key role this season and will be missed if he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, especially during the African Cup of Nations.
Amad, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo will be unavailable for United for at least one month during the tournament, which officially begins on December 21. Amorim will have been hoping to rely on Šeško, but could be forced to use Joshua Zirkzee, who looks set to leave the club in January.
If Zirkzee does make way in the January transfer window, Jason Wilcox will be forced to look for another attacking option, unless Chido Obi is deemed ready for a regular role in the Premier League. United have already been linked with several forwards, but there is yet to be a favourite to join in January.
United set to lose out on Eyong
One of the strikers United are considering is Levante’s Etta Eyong, who has been described as “one of the hottest properties in world football” by Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport.
Previous reports have stated that United have a “concrete interest” in Eyong and could look to activate his £26 million release clause. However, despite a clear interest, United could be set to lose out on Eyong after a new report from GiveMeSport.
While the young striker said, “I have already achieved my dream of playing in LaLiga, and my other dream is to one day play in the Premier League. I think I have the quality to thrive in the Premier League and that my style is well-suited to English football. I am physically strong and can link up play.
“I love watching Premier League matches. My favourite period is the Boxing Day games. You can see the players give everything – 200 per cent! What I love about the Premier League is that every game feels important.”
It appears his favoured club wouldn’t be United; the 22-year-old went on to say: “Growing up, Chelsea was the English team I probably watched the most because of Drogba, and Eto’o was there a year as well. Chelsea have often signed incredible African players.
“There are so many big clubs in England, but as for [joining] Chelsea, why not? It would be a dream for me to play for Chelsea.”
Amorim’s AFCON Dilemma
Without Amad and Mbeumo in the frontline, Amorim will be forced to rely upon those whom he hasn’t favoured so far this season. Even if United signed Eyong in January, he would likely be at the AFCON, as a Cameroon international.
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Mason Mount will almost be guaranteed a starting spot in the front three during the competition, although he could earn a start before then after his brilliant cameo against Tottenham Hotspur.
Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo could also replace Mbeumo as a No.10, but Amorim will also have issues at right-wing-back. Without Amad and Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot will be forced to start, but his form in recent weeks has been simply unacceptable.
Amorim may turn to the academy for both positions. Jack Fletcher or Shea Lacey could play as attacking midfielders, while Jayden Kamason and Bendito Mantato could be exciting prospects at right-wing-back.
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