Manchester United, the supergiants of English football, thought to have struck the deal of the window when gaffer Jose Mourinho paid a hefty £75million fee to acquire hitman Romelu Lukaku under the nose of Chelsea’s Antonio Conte as the Belgian’s vast goal-scoring experience in the league during his tenure at Everton made the fans optimistic about a scintillating season. The 24-year-old started the season majestically but lost his plot in recent months and struggling to find the back of the net persistently. He was expected to score goals more often and the forward’s lack of attacking movements along with ineffectiveness while featuring in the top of the table clashes have made the gaffer look for an alternate option in order to wrap up a deal during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Manchester United have brought in some top names of European football in recent years and Ed Woodward, club’s executive vice-chairman, is keen on maximizing club’s commercial opportunities. Super agent Mino Raiola has traded his prized assets ( like Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic) to Theatre of Dreams since Mourinho’s appointment and is now reportedly pushing for £135 mil rated Mauro Icardi to complete a Manchester United transfer. The Argentine striking sensation has netted 18 league goals in 22 league outings for Internazionale this season and is currently placed second in the goal tally behind Lazio’s Ciro Immobile (20).
The 24-year-old captains the Serie A giants and has scored 96 times so far in 170 outings altogether since completing a move from Sampdoria back in 2013. United are in desperate search of such a prolific goal-scorer who adds more to his game than roaming around the box and waiting for opportunities to come. He works hard to create goal-bound opportunities of his own and holds stunning finishing traits with calmness and composure. The young Argentine, however, is still under contract at Inter Milan until 2021 and Manchester United might have to compete with heavyweights Real Madrid to bring the player in.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the charismatic Swedish legend, is close to joining Major League Soccer failing to recover fully from his ACL injury. Youngster Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have mostly been utilized in the wide areas by the Portuguese veteran. It thus leaves Mourinho with Romelu Lukaku as the only out and out ‘number 9’ who has failed to justify the price tag and live up to the hype so far in such a prestigious football club with a worldwide recognition.
Manchester United might have been dominated by ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City since their MiddleEast takeover but are not afraid to splash the cash in order to stay relevant in the title race. They, however, have been a massive disappointment considering the transfer fee as well as wages the Red Devils’ paid to lure in the superstars and a defeat against Newcastle United last weekend exposed a few more limitations that are yet to be figured out by Jose Mourinho.
Their lack of conversion is a massive concern now and the runners-up spot in the league might get jeopardized if they fail to sort things out ahead of the remaining 11 encounters which, however, are going to be decisive in the ‘top four’ race.
