Manchester United are inching closer to a potentially disastrous end to their summer transfer window, with hopes of signing a reliable striker fading fast. The Red Devils’ attempts to secure Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, and Viktor Gyokeres have all reportedly collapsed, leaving a glaring void in their attacking lineup that could haunt them throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Failed pursuits intensify transfer window pressure
Manager Ruben Amorim entered the summer with high expectations of rebuilding United’s faltering attack. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo — brought in for a combined £135 million ($183 million) — were seen as crucial steps toward that objective. With a combined 35 Premier League goals last season, the duo certainly brings flair and finishing ability.
However, Amorim’s desire for a more traditional No. 9 remains unfulfilled. According to ESPN, Manchester United’s front office had been actively targeting rising stars like Liam Delap, PSG outcast Hugo Ekitike, and Sporting’s powerhouse Viktor Gyokeres. Unfortunately for United fans, negotiations around all three forwards have now reportedly stalled or ended entirely.
The failure to land a striker is all the more pressing considering United scored just 44 Premier League goals last season — a dismal return for a club with Champions League ambitions. Despite their best scouting efforts, no imminent solution appears to be on the horizon.
Højlund’s future and Garnacho-Jackson swap rumors add to uncertainty
To make matters worse, speculation around current striker Rasmus Højlund’s future is gaining traction. Inter Milan and Juventus are rumored to be circling the 22-year-old Dane. While sources close to the club insist Højlund is committed to staying at Old Trafford, the interest from Serie A giants adds another layer of tension to Manchester United's already delicate situation.
Meanwhile, there’s chatter of a potential swap deal involving Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and United’s Alejandro Garnacho. The move could theoretically bring the clinical Jackson to Manchester while offering Chelsea a high-upside winger in return. Talks are said to be in the early stages, with no agreement reached yet.
Time ticking as United face harsh reality
With the transfer deadline approaching rapidly, Manchester United are running out of time and options. Ruben Amorim’s squad, while bolstered in parts, still lacks a true goal poacher — the kind of presence that could make the difference between top-four contention and another season of underachievement.
Unless a breakthrough materializes soon, the Red Devils may be forced to gamble on their current crop of forwards and hope for a resurgence — a risky proposition in an increasingly competitive Premier League landscape.