DONE DEAL: Man United splashes £71.5M to sign £203,000-a-week star on a five-years deal.

Manchester United have invested around £110 million over the last two summer transfer windows to bolster their attack by signing Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee. However, both players have struggled to live up to expectations. Højlund has shown flashes of potential but lacks consistency in the Premier League, while Zirkzee has found it challenging to adjust to the demands of English football.

This lack of firepower has contributed to United’s difficulties in scoring goals this season. According to TEAMtalk, manager Ruben Amorim is eager to strengthen the No. 9 position and is targeting Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani.

Kolo Muani: United’s January Target

The French striker has fallen out of favor at PSG, and the club is open to selling him in the January transfer window. However, securing Kolo Muani will be challenging, as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing him.

Currently earning £203,000 per week, Kolo Muani has struggled for playing time this season, starting just two matches across all competitions and being excluded from PSG’s last two matchday squads. Despite these challenges, the 26-year-old showed his potential last season with six goals and five assists in 13 Ligue 1 starts. His versatility as both a center-forward and winger, combined with his speed and creativity, makes him an attractive prospect.

Challenges with Kolo Muani

Though Kolo Muani’s profile suggests he could add depth and flexibility to United’s attack, his limited playing time and recent struggles raise some concerns:

Form and Fitness: His lack of regular appearances at PSG could impact his ability to quickly adapt to the Premier League.
High Competition: With other Premier League clubs also interested, his transfer fee and wage demands could increase, making him a potentially expensive gamble.
Fit for United’s Needs: United require a proven, reliable goal-scorer to address their current issues, and Kolo Muani may not be able to provide the consistency needed immediately.
United’s Current Striking Dilemma

Rasmus Højlund: The £72m signing has shown moments of brilliance but still needs time to develop into a consistent threat.
Joshua Zirkzee: The £36.5m acquisition has scored only three goals in 18 league appearances, highlighting his struggle to adapt to English football.
What’s Next for United?

Amorim must carefully assess whether Kolo Muani is the right fit for the team. While his versatility and potential are promising, United may benefit from pursuing a more proven goal-scorer with a solid track record in the Premier League or another top league. Alternatives like Victor Osimhen or other established forwards may better meet the team’s urgent needs.

Conclusion

Randal Kolo Muani shows promise but comes with risks. Given the pressure on United to achieve results, the club must prioritize a forward who can make an immediate impact. Kolo Muani could be a valuable addition, but only if United can ensure he fits into Amorim’s system and performs consistently from the start.

Manchester United’s continued struggles in front of goal have left Ruben Amorim searching for solutions. While Randal Kolo Muani has emerged as a potential target for January, his profile raises questions about whether he is the right fit for United’s urgent needs.

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### **United’s Current Striking Woes**

1. **Rasmus Højlund**
– **Cost:** £72m
– **Performance:** Displays flashes of potential but lacks consistency and experience.
– **Challenge:** Needs time to grow into a reliable goal-scorer at the Premier League level.

2. **Joshua Zirkzee**
– **Cost:** £36.5m
– **Performance:** Struggling to adapt to English football, with just three goals in 18 league appearances.
– **Challenge:** Adjusting to the pace and physicality of the league has proven difficult.

3. **Impact:** The combined output of Højlund and Zirkzee has not met expectations, leaving United in desperate need of a proven finisher.

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### **Randal Kolo Muani: A Gamble?**

**Strengths:**
– **Versatility:** Can play as a central striker or winger.
– **Speed and Creativity:** Adds dynamism to the attack.
– **Past Contributions:** Six goals and five assists in 13 Ligue 1 starts last season highlight his ability to contribute when given opportunities.

**Concerns:**
1. **Limited Game Time:** Only two starts this season at PSG may hinder his match fitness and sharpness.
2. **Recent Form:** Exclusion from PSG squads raises questions about his current standing and readiness.
3. **Competition:** Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham are also interested, likely inflating his transfer fee and wage demands.
4. **Fit for United’s Needs:** Lacks the consistent scoring record United urgently require.

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### **Amorim’s Dilemma**
United face a tough decision:
– Pursue Kolo Muani, a player with potential but who may need time to adjust, potentially exacerbating their current issues.
– Target a proven goal-scorer, possibly at a higher cost, but one more likely to deliver immediate results.

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### **Alternative Options**
1. **Victor Osimhen (Napoli):**
– Proven track record in Serie A.
– Potential to make an immediate impact but comes with a hefty price tag.

2. **Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus):**
– A younger, consistent striker with a physical presence.
– Offers Premier League suitability but may require substantial negotiations.

3. **Ivan Toney (Brentford):**
– Proven Premier League scorer.
– Returning from suspension, he could offer an affordable and reliable option.

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### **Conclusion**
While Randal Kolo Muani offers versatility and potential, his recent struggles and lack of consistency make him a risky choice for a team in urgent need of results. Ruben Amorim and Manchester United must carefully evaluate whether to pursue Kolo Muani or prioritize a more experienced striker who can provide the immediate impact required to salvage their season. Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision will be critical in the January transfer window.