In reality, Manchester United’s marketing campaign has been full of disappointment, frustration, and inconsistencies.
The Purple Devils are presently sixth within the Premier League, and though they’ve spent closely over latest years, the squad has been fairly skinny.
Accidents have performed a task in Erik ten Hag being unable to play the model of soccer he insists on, whereas some people have additionally struggled to succeed in the heights they confirmed final marketing campaign.
A type of is Marcus Rashford, however with a possible new signing on the playing cards this summer season, he may return to his absolute best.
Man Utd’s seek for a striker
Final summer season, Man United addressed their centre-forward points by signing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in a deal value £72m.
The Danish attacker struggled to adapt to the Premier League to start with, however he’s now scored seven objectives and offered two assists for the reason that finish of December.
Nonetheless, in accordance with a latest Fabrizio Romano interview with CaughtOffside, Ivan Toney may very well be “one to look at” this summer season, with United eager to bolster their assault.
Romano famous: “As I mentioned right here a number of occasions, Man Utd are nonetheless in early phases of the method to resolve which striker they need to signal; skilled or younger. Talks are going to happen internally, Toney might be one of many names accessible available on the market so may very well be one to look at.”
It’s reported that Brentford will probably demand a payment of round £70m for his or her star striker, who would supply nice competitors for Hojlund, which might be essential contemplating Anthony Martial’s inevitable exit.
How Toney may supercharge Rashford
United’s quantity ten has discovered consistency troublesome to come back by this marketing campaign, regardless of nonetheless being one of many membership’s finest performers with reference to output.
The 26-year-old is Ten Hag’s joint-top scorer within the Premier League with seven objectives, and he appears to lastly be returning to kind, scoring in all of United’s final three matches, together with a significant equaliser within the Purple Devils’ 4-3 win over Liverpool within the FA Cup.
Though these numbers aren’t horrible, they’re nowhere close to his document from final season, the place he scored 17 occasions and offered 5 assists in simply 32 begins, however the potential acquisition of Toney may deliver the perfect out of the attacker.
Regardless of scoring 20 objectives and offering 4 assists final season himself, the present Bees ahead is well-known for his physicality and old style strategy at occasions, with even boss Thomas Frank describing him as a “monster,” which is strictly the kind of profile that might see Rashford thrive alongside.
At Brentford, Toney operates in a system with out conventional wingers like United; nevertheless, his fashion of play enhances Rashford’s strengths completely.
As you possibly can see by the desk beneath, the 28-year-old’s first begin for England towards Belgium highlighted what he may deliver to Ten Hag’s crew with reference to objectives, creativity, and intelligence.
Toney vs Belgium |
|
---|---|
Stats |
Toney |
Objectives |
1 |
Penalties gained |
1 |
Photographs |
3 |
Key passes |
2 |
Cross accuracy |
83% |
Duels gained |
4/6 |
Through Sofascore |
The striker confirmed his sensible link-up skill and ball retention, typically dropping barely deeper to create house behind the defence. That is the precise situation the place Rashford is without doubt one of the finest within the Premier League, utilizing his tempo to latch onto by balls, inevitably from Bruno Fernandes.
Toney’s skill to obtain direct passes from the defence and goalkeeper additionally permits United to transition a lot faster, in flip offering the United winger with extra alternatives to harm the opposition.
It’s additionally clear that the previous Peterborough attacker is a goal-scorer who thrives contained in the penalty space, which won’t solely assist take the attacking duty off Rashford’s shoulders but in addition improve his creativity.
Total, the signing of Toney may give United a barely completely different choice to Hojlund up entrance, and one that might actually make Rashford unstoppable as soon as once more.

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