Manchester United should know by now that there’s no quick fixes in their search of becoming Premier League challengers again.

The current squad has too much deadwood in it and quite a few of their players look over the hill and stale.

The signing of Alexis Sanchez in January 2018 was almost a point of no return for the Jose Mourinho era and that of reckless spending since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013.

The Chilean arrived at Old Trafford to much fanfare and prestige. Along with his glitzy announcement video, the attacker was given a £390,000 a week contract (Sports Joe).

It’s a move that has impacted negatively both on and off the park for Man United.

Off the field, the Sanchez deal has become an albatross around the club’s neck.

Players like Paul Pogba and David de Gea have performed in the timeframe that Sanchez has been at United and believe that they deserve to have similar wage packets. De Gea only has a year on his deal left and he’s holding out for a wage pay rise, one Man Utd may not be willing or able to offer.

On the park, Sanchez hasn’t produced to a high enough level. The attacker has scored just three United goals in thirty-two Premier League appearances and he’s also contributed with six assists in those games. That’s simply not good enough for a forward who has been brought in to make a winning difference to The Red Devils.

It could be extremely likely that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his board will be ready to cut Sanchez loose if they can find a willing buyer. It will no doubt still cost the Red Devils but it’s a move that will takeaway the large albatross and free up an attacking place in the team’s first team.

If Manchester United do sell Alexis then they should use that transfer as a way of moving back to a transfer strategy that looks to bring in hungry, younger talent that have the potential to become world beaters.

If United end up looking for a new attacking threat, then they could look to a player that’s playing close to home.

Richarlison proved he could handle the rough and tumble of the English game when he first joined Watford in the summer of 2017, last term he joined Everton for a big fee and it didn’t weigh him down.

The twenty-two year old played in thirty-five top flight appearances last season and played across all positions in the frontline and he scored an impressive thirteen goals. That tally included strikes against United and Chelsea.

The forward is powerful, pacey and direct. The young forward knows when to run into the penalty area, can be very effective in the air and isn’t shy in using tricks to get beyond opponents either. Those are attributes that will excite the United support.

Richarlison, unlike Anthony Martial, would also give Man Utd an attacking threat that can offer something defensively too as he’s tenacious and not scared to get physical with opposition defenders. Richarlison has the skill-set to become a top player! 

He’s also hungry to succeed at the highest level and he’s got the potential to improve greatly. 

His impressive maiden year at Goodison helped Richarlison to break into the Brazilian national team set-up and win his first cap. The attacker has taken to the international game like a duck to water, scoring fives times in his first ten caps. This summer the Toffees’ frontman will represent his country at the Copa America in his homeland. 

Media reports have suggested that the red half of Manchester are looking at Richarlison as a possible transfer target this summer, the player himself has stated he’s flattered by the interest but also said he’s in no rush to leave Everton (Via The Mirror):

“It’s a nice feeling when you get praise for your good work,”

“But I’m not thinking about a transfer at the moment.”

“I’ve just arrived at Everton. I’m happy here.”

Everton won’t be easy to deal with and won’t want to sell their prized asset. Looking at the statement above the player doesn’t seem interested in forcing a move either. 

That could mean that Manchester United will have to spend big if they stand a chance of getting the Brazilian. 

In my opinion, they should definitely go out and make a huge play for one of Brazil’s top talents. He surely fits the profile that Man Utd have always looked for in exciting young players that can be difference makers in the tense encounters. 

Posted on June 14th, 2019 by scott
Filed under: Article