While it’s unlikely that Man Utd will ever be able to replace Cristiano Ronaldo again, they have been assured that they already have a suitable replacement. That replacement is Nkunku, who has already made his debut for the club. However, what about Ekitike? Can he be the ideal Cristiano Ronaldo replacement? Or is there still more to Man Utd’s recruitment strategy?
Nkunku
If you want to hear more about the future of Man United, read our latest newsletter, Man Utd have already got their replacement in the form of Nigerian forward, Emmanuel Nkunku. This highly-rated forward has been in sensational form in the past few months, scoring 31 goals and grabbing 20 assists for RB Leipzig. The Frenchman is likely to remain the club’s captain despite the criticism he’s received this season.
United have contacted the representatives of Ronaldo’s former club to see if the player is available and could be a good fit for the club. The club remained adamant that Ronaldo is not for sale, but have failed to land a top striker in Darwin Nunez. However, they’re now short on strikers and would like to bring in Ajax winger Antony in the summer. Meanwhile, they’ve made an offer to Christian Eriksen and Frenkie de Jong, and may even have the same fate with the former Juventus star.
In a week in which Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa, manager Erik Ten Hag revealed that he’s already opted to keep their star striker, despite recent rumours that he was leaving the club during the transfer window. The Portuguese winger’s departure has left United with a huge void in the team’s forward line and they have been planning for life without him for some time. Darren Ambrose believes that Anthony Martial will be the man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and make the club’s season a success.
Ekitike
Manchester United have been in the market for a striker this summer, but they haven’t been able to find one. Ajax winger Antony has been on their radar, but a move to Real Madrid may be more in the club’s future. United are also interested in Frenkie de Jong, who has already scored four goals for the Dutch club this summer.
Manchester United have been in the market for several new players, including a centre-back, two midfielders and a right-sided winger, but it will be a challenge to replace the Portuguese superstar if they do not sign someone of the same caliber. United will be able to negotiate a lower fee with Napoli, if they want a player with similar qualities and potential.
The club have not ruled out signing the 22-year-old. The Amsterdam club are willing to pay at least PS70m for the Brazilian. Manchester City are still holding out for more than €100m for the player. Cristiano Ronaldo has played 38 games in all competitions last season, scoring 24 goals and making three assists. However, the club have not yet agreed on a personal deal.
Nkunku is ideal replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese star has been in a tiff with Manchester United this summer after requesting a transfer. After all, the club has already paid him a quarter of his salary and cannot afford to lose him without getting a world-class replacement. Nunez was the team’s top strike target before the summer but the club did not fancy his transfer fee. Ronaldo is also under the impression that the club will not mount a realistic title challenge this season or even finish in the top four.
United haven’t said whether they will bring Nkunku in next summer, but there’s a strong possibility. The 25-year-old has been in amazing form recently. Last season, he scored 31 goals and provided 20 assists for RB Leipzig. The RB Leipzig winger is also a proven goalscorer and is a highly sought-after signing.
The Portuguese star has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Chelsea. However, United haven’t ruled out signing the former Barcelona striker in the summer. Instead, they are considering signing a centre-forward to play alongside Ronaldo. The club have made an offer to Christian Eriksen and are closing in on Frenkie de Jong. This would leave United with a striker who is more capable of a central role.
Paulo Dybala
Manchester United are preparing for life without Cristiano Ronaldo, who submitted a transfer request on Saturday. The Portugal international is keen to play Champions League football next season, and believes he still has three or four years to play at the top level. Managing director Erik ten Hag is hopeful that the club will be able to lure Antony to Old Trafford in the summer.
Manchester United are in need of a striker, and their current squad does not have a number nine. Only one player, Cristiano Ronaldo, is considered to be the number nine. That leaves Anthony Martial, who is uncertain about his future at Old Trafford, as a number nine. Martial was loaned out to Sevilla for the second half of last season, but has impressed in preseason friendlies.
The new United manager, Erik ten Hag, has repeatedly denied reports of a sale for Ronaldo. The club is keen to retain Ronaldo, but have failed to sign top striker Darwin Nunez. Instead, they plan on adding a centre-forward next summer. Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen are both targets, and United are also close to signing Ajax’s Antony.
Edinson Cavani
The Portuguese superstar has asked Manchester United to sell him for EUR31 million a season this summer. The club are reluctant to pay such a fee for a player who will turn 37 in February. However, they failed to agree on personal terms with Nunez, their top strike target. In a press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that United would sign the Portuguese striker. In the interim, his agent Bruno Fernandes has been in touch with Ronaldo to discuss his future.
There have been rumors linking the Portuguese striker with a move to Manchester United. Although United aren’t interested in selling Cristiano Ronaldo, they can’t afford to replace him immediately. The club are working on several fronts in order to strengthen their squad before the start of the season. They need a centre-back, two midfielders and a right winger, but signing players to fill in the voids will eat into the club’s budget and make it more difficult to sign a replacement for Ronaldo. A player like Erling Haaland or Darwin Nunez would have been the perfect candidate, but those players have gone on to sign with Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.
After the match, it was reported that the Portuguese international was being watched closely by a long list of clubs. The club’s new assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, was also inside the stadium to scout Ronaldo. Queiroz had told Jorge Valdano to sign the Portuguese striker. The move proved to be a wise move. After all, it was Ronaldo’s best performance in Manchester United’s history.
Paulo Akanji
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been forced to search for Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement despite announcing he’d never play for the club again. The Portuguese international has said twice that he would never play for Manchester City and has said he won’t go to the Etihad Stadium, a stadium he’d prefer to stay in.
While the club would like to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s obvious the Portuguese star will be missed and they have to make way for a new striker. United were unable to sign the top striker Darwin Nunez as he was too expensive. But they are now working on finding Ronaldo’s replacement and have stepped up their hunt for Ajax winger Antony.
However, the club have a plan B. Despite the fact that Ronaldo has been out of the club for some time, they have a new option in the form of Anthony Martial. This young forward has impressed manager Erik ten Hag during pre-season friendlies and may even be the main man up front. If he can replace Cristiano Ronaldo, the Premier League could see the Portuguese’s best form once again.
Neymar
Despite his absence, the Portuguese superstar is still a vital part of Man Utd’s plans. However, a recent report suggests that the club may have already recruited his replacement and are in a win-win situation. According to the report, Ten Hag, the interim manager at Man Utd, said last month that the former Real Madrid star was part of his plans for the season ahead. He had been linked with a move away from United due to his inability to adapt to the team’s high-pressing style and lack of long-term planning.
The former Real Madrid star has a contract with Manchester United until 2023 and has refused to leave the club. Although rumors continue to circulate, the club’s vice president, Erik ten Hag, has remained defiant and has made it clear that Ronaldo will stay at Old Trafford for the rest of his contract. He has even suggested that Ronaldo’s contract contains a player option until 2024.
Manchester United have been rumoured to be interested in signing Brazilian winger Neymar. Although Ronaldo is still a star at PSG, he is now 30, has injuries and is not at his peak. This might be a mistake as he could end up costing the club a lot of money. Despite that, Neymar has been linked to Man Utd for the last two transfer windows, but no deal has been reached yet.
