DOUBLE DEAL COMPLETED: Manchester United completes double transfer deal with the announcement set to hold before Aston Villa game tomorrow
There’s no getting around it, Manchester United‘s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was a hammer blow for all associated with the Red Devils; Ruben Amorim and the board’s job has suddenly become significantly more difficult as they desperately look to stem their freefall.
But there is a pathway, albeit a narrow one, to a sharp upturn in fortunes as the Red Devils reportedly still have enough financial wriggle room to leap forward this summer.
Rayan Cherki (£33.7m)
A huge factor behind Man Utd’s miserable season is that an already poor squad has been made to look even worse by it not being equipped to maximise Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
The No.10 role is a key position in this set-up. While Amad Diallo and Mason Mount, to varying degrees, have proved their ability to thrive there under Amorim, one or two reinforcements are required to add goals and quality depth, especially with unsuited Alejandro Garnacho surely sealing his exit with his post-match outburst on Wednesday night.
One signing is already nearing completion (more on him in a moment), but Fabrizio Romano reckons Man Utd will sign another No.10 and Cherki has been mooted as a candidate.
Lyon could do with cashing in on Cherki before his current contract expires in 2026 and all indications are that they will try this summer, with his reported valuation of €40m (£33.7m) representing a bargain for Man Utd.
The 21-year-old’s stunning 2024/25 tally of 32 goal involvements in 44 games – including two vs Man Utd in the Europa League – shows he deserves a big move and the versatile forward could fill several roles for Amorim next season, while adding a much-needed spark in the attacking third.
Matheus Cunha (£62.5m)
Cunha’s somewhat foolish willingness to commit to Man Utd regardless of what happened in the Europa League final is proof that the Red Devils can still attract a certain level of player on name value alone, though that ability will inevitably dwindle further should they fail – as expected – to return to the Champions League within the next couple of seasons.
Still, Cunha’s stance on a move to Old Trafford is a huge boost with the club crying out for any semblance of positivity, as his supreme displays for Wolves indicate that he should be a sure-fire success at Old Trafford. If he flops, everyone there should pack up and go home.
The F365 Premier League XI of the Season inductee is too good to be playing for a side near the bottom (so that should rule out Man Utd *wink*) and a move to a Big Six club is long overdue, with the Brazil international a ready-made signing fit for Amorim’s system. He should instantly make them more of an attacking threat.
Liam Delap (£30m)
After a promising debut season, Rasmus Hojlund has gone backwards to an extraordinary degree; not only is his lack of confidence limiting his goal output, but he’s also finding it extremely difficult to tick off the basic jobs listed in the striker 101 handbook.
Joshua Zirkzee had a dire couple of months but showed real promise before picking up his thigh injury. He should be above exit-bound Hojlund in Amorim’s thinking, though there is an argument to suggest his Dimitar Berbatov-esque style makes him more suited to the head coach’s No.10 role rather than a standalone No.9.
Hojlund and Zirkzee’s respective issues make Man Utd’s next striker signing pretty likely to be Amorim’s first-choice next season and it currently looks like it will be Delap.
The ex-Manchester City graduate has been one of the very few positives about Ipswich Town this season, with his 12-goal breakout campaign attracting interest from most of the Premier League. His all-around game has been as impressive as his goalscoring, but there is a fear that they could have another Hojlund with an inexperienced striker pushed to the front too soon.
Ideally, they would sign a more proven striker (i.e. Viktor Gyokeres) to combine with Delap next season, but their inability to freely spend as other positions require attention means they will have to settle for the Englishman, who would still be an upgrade on current options.
