The 2024/25 Premier League season proved to be a deeply challenging period for Manchester United, culminating in a dismal 15th-place finish and a heartbreaking loss in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. This humiliating outcome saw the club miss out on any European competition for the upcoming 2025/26 season, despite Ruben Amorim taking over the managerial reins mid-campaign in an attempt to salvage what proved to be an already damaged season.
Recent years have been plagued by a pervasive inconsistency across the squad, characterized by fluctuating performances and a notable absence of stability. Despite the perennial high expectations placed upon a club of Manchester United’s stature, the team consistently failed to deliver, leaving fans yearning for a return to sustained excellence.
Key attacking talents, including Rasmus Hojlund, showed glimpses of their brilliance but ultimately struggled to maintain the consistent form required at the elite level. Similarly, Joshua Zirkzee, another player burdened by considerable expectations, appeared to buckle under the immense pressure, further highlighting the team’s struggles in crucial moments.
This summer, however, the club has seemingly embarked on a more proactive approach to squad reinforcement, signaling a clearer strategic direction in the Football Transfers market. Notable additions such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both proven performers with significant Premier League experience, have already arrived at Old Trafford, bringing much-needed quality and depth.
Despite these promising player signings, a significant void persists in the crucial centre-forward position, underlining the urgent need for a reliable goalscorer. The ongoing Striker Search has intensified, with Manchester United reportedly setting their sights on Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, whose potential permanent move to Juventus has seemingly stalled, opening a window of opportunity for the English giants.
Kolo Muani spent the latter half of last season on loan with Juventus, but PSG is now pushing for either a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy, rather than another simple loan agreement. Juventus’s current inability to offload surplus players has severely hampered their purchasing power, inadvertently creating an opening for Manchester United. While Kolo Muani possesses admirable traits—he is quick, physically robust, and a capable target man—there are lingering concerns about his ‘killer instinct’ in front of goal.
Consequently, many feel that Manchester United should prioritize a move for Benjamin Sesko ahead of any other forward target at this moment. Sesko offers a compelling profile: he is aerially strong, makes intelligent runs off the ball, and demonstrates a commendable calmness in his finishing. His playing style is perceived to be an excellent fit for the club’s system, and his age provides significant long-term potential. Should a deal for Benjamin Sesko prove unfeasible, then the French international, Randal Kolo Muani, would represent a viable alternative.
However, a closer examination of Kolo Muani’s recent performances, particularly his average displays during his loan spell at Juventus, does not inspire significant excitement. He appears to be lacking confidence, a sentiment potentially exacerbated by PSG’s apparent willingness to move him on. Manchester United requires a striker who not only consistently finds the back of the net but also injects vital energy into the dressing room—a profile that, frankly, Kolo Muani doesn’t seem to embody.
The crucial striker search is far from concluded, and the Old Trafford faithful are eagerly awaiting a decision that will hopefully bring relief and a renewed sense of optimism for the challenging season ahead.
