Why Man United will not sign a center-forward next season

Sports
Okezie Omorogie
May 29, 2025
69

Manchester United’s players expressing depression after group stage exit in the champions league last season. Photo Credit- Vietnam.vn

As Manchester United limp away from their worst-ever Premier League campaign—finishing 15th with 42 points in 2024/25, the need for a clinical center-forward has never been more urgent. Despite a strong Europa League final run, where they fell to Tottenham, United’s domestic attack lacked energy, scoring just 42 goals in 38 matches, with 83% of those tied to Bruno Fernandes’ 35 goal involvements. Manager Ruben Amorim, backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, has prioritized a striker overhaul, targeting names like Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap, Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, and Evan Ferguson to spearhead his 3-4-2-1 system. Yet, the path to securing a top-tier center-forward is fraught with obstacles. From financial constraints and fierce competition to a depleted striker market and internal squad issues, this piece is set to explore why Manchester United may not sign a center-forward for the 2025/26 season.

Financial difficulties

Missing Champions League football for 2025/26, following their 15th-place finish, has slashed United’s revenue by an estimated £100m, including a £10m Adidas penalty and reduced merit payments. A 25% wage cut for players, triggered by the league position, further strains the budget. While Ratcliffe has pledged a £200m transfer budget. United’s £1.67bn spend since 2012, with no major impact has prompted INEOS to enforce financial discipline. The club’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) compliance, already tight after £200m spent in 2024/25, limits big signings.

High-profile targets like Victor Osimhen or Alexander Isak are financially out of reach, with United’s budget favoring younger, cheaper options like Delap or Ferguson. However, even these deals require selling assets like Marcus Rashford or Rasmus Hojlund.

Fierce competition in a limited striker market

The global striker shortage is a nightmare for United. Top center-forwards are either unattainable or in high demand, with clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid also seeking goal-scorers. Osimhen, whose over 30 goal contributions in 2024/25 season powered Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig title, is pursued by Chelsea and Al-Hilal, with Napoli demanding £70m. Isak’s 17 goals for Newcastle, tied for second in the Premier League, and huge transfer fee make him impossible to attract clubs’ interest. Harry Kane, now 32 at Bayern, is unlikely to return, while Erling Haaland is tied to Manchester City until 2034.

Cheaper targets face similar competition. Wolves’ Cunha (£60m) is on the radar of bigger clubs even though he is ideal for Amorim’s system and haa agreed personal terms with United. Brighton’s Ferguson, despite 7 goals in 2024/25, is coveted by Chelsea, who can offer Champions League football. Delap, with 12 goals for relegated Ipswich, is a £30m gamble, but Chelsea’s interest complicates talks. The market’s scarcity, only 5 strikers scored 15+ Premier League goals in 2024/25, means United face a bidding war for unproven or mid-tier talents.

Lack of Champions League appeal

United’s absence from the Champions League, coupled with their 15th-place finish, dims their appeal for top strikers. Elite forwards like Osimhen, who played in the 2023/24 Champions League with Napoli, prioritize European exposure. Even younger prospects like Ferguson or Delap seek clubs with immediate trophy prospects. Chelsea’s fourth-place finish, Arsenal’s second, and Newcastle’s fifth offer Champions League football, outshining United’s non-european football next season.

Amorim’s project, while promising, is a hard sell for players accustomed to competing at the highest level. United’s huge league losses, shows project instability. United’s reliance on Amorim’s reputation (two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting CP) and Ratcliffe’s vision may attract project-driven players like Delap, but big names will likely snub a deal at Old Trafford.

Tactical mismatch with current strikers

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 demands a mobile, pressing center-forward who links play and scores, similar to Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres. United’s current options: Hojlund, Rashford, and Zirkzee fall short. Hojlund, 22, managed 4 goals in 35 games. Rashford, often deployed centrally, scored 8 goals but lacks the physicality for Amorim’s lone-striker role. Zirkzee on the other hand showed promise, but injuries and consistency issues is a risk to trust him with leading United’s front line.

The tactical mismatch forces United to seek a new No. 9, but integrating one into Amorim’s high-intensity system requiring high turnovers and more dribbles per game takes time. Cunha fits, with his outstanding experience in the league. Ferguson’s hold-up play suits, but his form raise doubts about immediate impact. United’s goals per game, second-lowest among non-relegated teams, shows their desperation, but finding a striker who clicks instantly is a wish.

Internal squad and contract issues

United’s squad overhaul, with up to seven players Rashford, Garnacho, Lindelof, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Antony, and Sancho on the market, creates instability. Raising £150m from sales is crucial for signings, but Rashford and Garnacho’s price tag face doubts from interested clubs due to their form. Casemiro’s declining mobility and £350,000-weekly wage prevent suitors. Fernandes’ potential £100m move to Al-Hilal, offering £65m annually, adds further uncertainty, as his 35 goal involvements are irreplaceable short-term.

This player overhaul prevents strikers, who seek stable teammates and service. United’s midfield: Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mount, lacks consistent creativity beyond Fernandes. Contract talks with Mainoo, expiring in 2026, could be a distraction for recruitment. The injury crisis: Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez (out for the season) further prevents United’s sppeal to prospects.

Amorim’s high-risk rebuild

Amorim’s bold plan to overhaul United, inspired by his Sporting success is a double-edged sword. His 6 league wins in 20 games at United, and reliance on youth promoting Ayden Heaven and Harry Amass may prevent strikers seeking proven setups. Delap and Ferguson, both under 23, fit Amorim’s 24-year-old squad average but carry risks, with Delap’s 12 goals in a relegated side and Ferguson’s injury-hit 2024/25 season.

Amorim’s demand for a “hungry” striker and United’s 2013 post-Ferguson rebuild, plagued by misfires like Radamel Falcao and Romelu Lukaku is a warning. Without a big signing, Amorim risks another season of over-reliance on Hojlund, whose 4 league goals in 35 games fall short.

Conclusion

Manchester United’s quest for a center-forward in 2025/26 is a high-stakes gamble, hindered by financial limits, a limited striker market, and their non-european appearance. The £100m revenue hit, fierce competition for Osimhen, Delap, and Ferguson, and internal issues. Fernandes’ potential exit, Rashford’s sale create a perfect storm, one that blow into potential or doom. Amorim’s tactical demands and youth-focused rebuild, while visionary, risk short-term pain, with United’s poor goalscoring ability exposing their striker crisis. Fans need patience, believing Amorim will get it right. But with other clubs showing massive interest and time ticking, United’s dream of a prolific No. 9 faces a mountain. The Red Devils’ revival hinges on navigating this crisis as failure could mean another season of regret.