Manchester United are a club that has spent a small fortune over recent years, with the organization backing a number of managers looking to make it at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have spent around £800m since the summer of 2022 alone, but so far that spending has not translated into immediate success in the Premier League.
Coach Ruben Amorim led his team to a 15th place finish last season, their worst such season since the division was created in 1992.
The director has since been given his marching orders at Theater of Dreams, with director Michael Carrick potentially taking over permanently this summer.
But regardless of who takes charge, it looks like the new manager could be given a range of top-level players to help him succeed in the role.
United eye summer move for top-flight talisman
United have been touting a number of moves for a new centre-forward in recent weeks, despite spending £70m on Benjamin Sesco in the summer.
Bournemouth star Eli Crupi Jr. has scored eight goals for the Cherries so far this season and has been one of the players to keep an eye on in recent weeks.
However, any deal is likely to be expensive for the Red Devils, with Andoni Iraola’s side currently demanding a transfer fee of around £80 million to let the 19-year-old go.
As a result, the bosses are now considering other options, with Chelsea star Nicholas Jackson also a player to keep an eye on in the off-season.
According to TEAMtalk, the Senegal international, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, has received huge praise from the staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
The report also states that the player is planning to return to Stamford Bridge and turn down a permanent move to the Bundesliga, which could open the door for the Red Devils to sign him.
What’s more, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are all in contention to sign the 24-year-old, confirming that competition for his signature will intensify over the summer.
Why Jackson is perfect alongside Bruno at United
Despite United’s struggles in the Premier League in recent years, midfielder Bruno Fernandes has often been a shining light, saving the club from complete embarrassment.
The Portuguese international joined from Sporting CP in 2020 and has made 315 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 104 goals in that time.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history
Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
During the current season, he has already scored six goals and provided 13 assists in 25 appearances, with no player in the senior ranks posting a higher total goal contribution.
There is no doubt that the 31-year-old has been the club’s most influential player in recent seasons, and Bruno needs to arrive more often at Old Trafford to take some of the pressure off his shoulders.
Signing Jackson would give the club a great attacking option, especially if he can repeat his performances for Chelsea in 2024/25.
The 24-year-old finished the season with 13 goals in 37 appearances and then provided the Red Devils with more of the attacking threat they have been looking for in recent months.
His goalscoring numbers are impressive given the Blues’ struggles in recent seasons, but it is the Senegal international’s underlying statistics that could make him a huge asset alongside Bruno.
Described as “unbelievable” by Peter Crouch, Jackson shot on target at an incredible 1.4 per 90 while achieving 46% shooting accuracy on target.
Nicholas Jackson – 2024/25 Chelsea Statistics | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 people) | tally |
games played | 30 |
goals and assists | 15 |
Accuracy of shots on target | 46% |
Pass accuracy | 76% |
Major passes taken | 1.2 |
progressive carry | 1.9 |
Carry into the opposition box | 1.3 |
The action that creates the shot | 2.8 |
The aforementioned numbers highlight Bruno’s ability to make goalkeepers work in the final third, with pinpoint passing abilities that bring him out in attacking areas.
Additionally, United’s captain created just 1.3 chances out of 90 in the Premier League last season, with 0.3 of those being defined as big chances, which could mean that United’s captain was giving away his chances in front of goal.
The Senegalese international also likes to play on the shoulders of the final defender and could make the most of the Portuguese star’s record of 3.2 times in 90 games this season.
There is no doubt that joining Bayern this season was a big mistake, as evidenced by his record of only 5 goals in 22 games played so far.
However, a return to the Premier League could give him a new lease of life to get back into shape, and United could be the perfect fit for the Chelsea man.
If he can move to Old Trafford and form a deadly partnership with Bruno, there is no reason why the club’s new manager can’t write a new chapter in the Red Devils’ history in 2026/27.
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