Rio Ferdinand has urged two out-of-form players to leave Manchester United this summer if Ruben Amorim manages to sign his targets.
Manchester United have already assessed several striker options as part of Rúben Amorim’s planned rebuild for next season, despite the summer transfer window not being open for all that long.
Liam Delap was initially seen as the front runner, with his £30 million relegation release clause making him an attractive option for the recruitment team. However, he has since opted to join Chelsea, reuniting with former Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca.
United then shifted their focus to Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Cunha has already signed, and Mbeumo is pushing for the move, but both are expected to operate primarily as attacking midfielders, leaving the need for a true centre-forward unresolved.
Viktor Gyökeres, who previously played under Amorim at Sporting CP, remains a target despite his preference for Arsenal. However, the absence of Champions League football at United could be a significant hurdle in securing his signature.
Is it the end of the road for Højlund?
It’s fair to say that Rasmus Højlund’s 2024/25 campaign was disappointing, with the 22-year-old scoring just 10 goals across 52 appearances in an underperforming United side.
United have reportedly made Højlund available this summer, with the forward being valued at around £40 million amid Amorim’s wish to sign a new striker in the coming months.
Ferdinand believes that the Dane still has a role to play if Amorim gets his wish of signing an out-and-out centre-forward like Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen, which would allow the 22-year-old the opportunity to be an understudy to an already established No. 9, rather than him shouldering the burden.
However, the ex-United defender suggested that if the club heads toward signing a young striker like Hugo Ekitike, Højlund may have to look elsewhere for game time.
“If Man United go out and get an experienced number nine, I think he should stay. If it’s not [an experienced number nine], he should go and get experience somewhere else,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
Sancho needs a move away
When Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea on loan with an obligation to buy, many must have thought that his chapter at Old Trafford had ended, but with Chelsea paying a £5 million penalty fee, he’s back on the books at United, with the Englishman attracting attention from Serie A giants and also from Fenerbahçe.
United signed Sancho and Højlund for a combined fee of around £145 million, which many United fans now feel has gone to waste.
The six-time Premier League winner also spoke on Sancho’s situation, saying: “I think anywhere out of Man United is a good deal, I think he needs a permanent deal. Get out, clear your head, it hasn’t worked out for you.
“He’s got to deliver now. Those stats [at Chelsea] do not read well. I saw glimpses at Dortmund [during a loan spell in 2023/24] when I thought he was back!
“He needs to play in a team that retains possession, to have runners around him. He needs quite a few things, I think, to be able to perform, and he’s not going to get that in the Premier League.”
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