Manchester United are out to make a statement this summer. The Red Devils already received the backing of INEOS last summer and that backing looks destined to be repeated 12 months later, with Champions League qualification set to provide a much-needed boost.
Who arrives remains the unanswered question. So much of Man United’s recruitment has been criticised in the past. Under INEOS, that criticism would be unfair.
They’ve transformed the recruitment at Old Trafford to the point that all four of last summer’s signings are currently thriving and similar deals could be on the way in the coming months.
Man Utd ready to raid the Premier League again
It hasn’t been easy to flip the script at Old Trafford. After all, Man United’s recruitment was very much based around sticking with big names that will sell shirts rather than names that will thrive in the right system.
It resulted in the arrival of Angel Di Maria, Antony, the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and the likes of Memphis Depay. All failed to reach expectations.
Man Utd’s most expensive signings of all time
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
1
Paul Pogba
£89m
Juventus
2016
2
Antony
£81.3m
Ajax
2022
3
Harry Maguire
£80m
Leicester City
2019
4
Romelu Lukaku
£75m
Everton
2017
5
Jadon Sancho
£73m
Borussia Dortmund
2021
The return of Ronaldo should have been the biggest red flag that the Glazers’ recruitment strategy simply didn’t exist. Whilst the iconic forward enjoyed an impressive first season back at the club, this was still an ageing forward who was forcing Man United to suffer out of possession. It completely derailed Erik ten Hag’s reign.
It’s a move that INEOS would not make years later. Instead, they focused on welcoming the perfect mix last season. They transformed Man United’s frontline with proven players in the Premier League, who had performed near the foot of the table. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have since repaid that faith.
This time around, they are set to raid the Premier League again. Elliot Anderson is the big-name target but he’s not the only one from England’s top flight who could head to Old Trafford.
Indeed, while Manchester City have reportedly held talks with Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, there are plenty of other teams in the race according to TEAMtalk.
They report this week that Man United are also looking at him and see him as a ‘strong fit’ in their bid to add more to their attack.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also monitoring the youngster who could cost around £69m.
Why Kroupi could be Man Utd’s next Rooney
It’s not often that a teenage talent steals the headlines on a consistent basis in the Premier League. When they do, however, it comes as no surprise that the best clubs in England are put on high alert.
Just ask Wayne Rooney. Like Kroupi, he burst onto the scene at a mid-table club and made an incredible impact as a teenager, subsequently joining United where he went on to achieve even greater heights.
Most goals by teenagers in Premier League history
Player
Goals
1) Michael Owen
40
2) Robbie Fowler
35
3) Wayne Rooney
30
4) Mason Greenwood
20
5) Nicolas Anelka
19
6) Alan Smith
17
=6) Francis Jeffers
17
8) Raheem Sterling
14
=8) Romelu Lukaku
14
=8) Chris Bart-Williams
14
11) Marcus Rashford
13
Well, it looks like the 19-year-old Bournemouth star is cut from a similar cloth in that regard.
In the same season that Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha have stolen the headlines, Kroupi has become the first teenager to score ten Premier League goals since Romelu Lukaku netted 14 in the 2013/14 campaign and Man United are well aware of his talent.
Certainly one of the best young strikers in the world right now, he’s fleet-footed, a total menace for defenders to deal with and he’s capable of doing it against the best.
Indeed, he’s netted twice against league leaders Arsenal this season, most notably bagging in their 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium just a few weeks ago. He also scored a cool penalty kick against Manchester United recently.
For Man City, it would be the chance to land another Bournemouth talent so soon after Antoine Semenyo’s success. For United, it’s their chance to sign their next Rooney.
PL stats
Rooney 04/05
Kroupi 25/26
Appearances
29
29
Goals
11
11
Assists
6
0
Celebrated as “one of the best finishers in the Premier League” by former Liverpool star Daniel Strurridge, the only way is up for Kroupi.
The idea of a strike-partnership between the teenage star and Sesko should be enough for Man United to pursue a move this summer, let alone the idea of getting one over on Man City.
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