Manchester United: Ed Woodward must address this area in the summer
By Bence Bocsak
The Manchester United chief Ed Woodward is set for a crucial summer window and he must address this vital position or risk another barren era for the club.
Manchester United’s chief Ed Woodward’s efforts have often been to the detriment of the club. From handing Alexis Sanchez extortionate wages to missing out on several key targets over the years.
Of course Woodward isn’t entirely to blame, but he has often received the majority of the criticism.
In fairness, despite the high wages given to Sanchez, the Chilean winger was one of the best players in the Premier League at the time. Meanwhile often the targets Woodward missed out on were for legitimate reasons, such as refusing to negotiate with the steep demands made by Mino Raiola for Erling Braut Haland in January.
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Nonetheless, at times United’s transfer policy has been hapless. Letting Romelu Lukaku depart in the summer has cost the club dearly.
At Old Trafford the forward position has often been littered with stars, think of the quartet of Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Cristiano Ronaldo or Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Andy Cole.
Yet in the present moment, since Lukaku departed in the summer, the Red Devils have been devoid of world-class quality upfront.
Yes Mason Greenwood is an exciting prospect, Anthony Martial is a competent forward, though probably more comfortable on the wings. Meanwhile Odion Ighalo‘s contributions to the team have been amicable.
However the trio are simply not enough if Man United want to return back to the pinnacle of English football and topple the current Liverpool and Manchester City hegemony.
The Red Devils need a striker in the same ilk as the club’s former greats, someone like Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie. A forward capable of scoring twenty plus goals a season on a regular basis.
It is what separates the club from their current rivals at the moment. Both Liverpool and Manchester City have at least three forwards who are capable of achieving that feat.
In the summer, Ed Woodward must focus his priority on finding the best forward option for the club. It is essential if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is serious about his ambitions at Old Trafford.
Next. Woodward will still look to complete transfers for three key targets in the summer. dark
Who would you sign for Man United in the summer?