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Manchester United’s loss to Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday served as a reminder to INEOS about how fragile the team’s attack remains.
Last season Erik ten Hag was forced to rely exclusively on Rasmus Hojlund due to the injury troubles of Anthony Martial while Marcus Rashford remained off-colour throughout the campaign.
The Dane’s pre-season injury meant the Mancunian was tasked with trying to provide the breakthrough at Wembley but he ended up squandering a couple of easy chances as the Red Devils lost 7-6 on penalties.
Joshua Zirkzee was signed in the summer but is yet to become match-fit and did not appear against Pep Guardiola’s team. It would be unwise for the Dutch boss to depend too much on the Netherlands international in his debut campaign in red.
Striker shortage
That is why there have been calls to strengthen upfront with Evan Ferguson of Brighton recently linked with a move while the club have also internally discussed the possibility of going after Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But the Premier League star who has the best chance of earning a move to Old Trafford is Ivan Toney of Brentford, who has thus far refused to sign a new deal.
The Bees’ earlier asking price was beyond United’s reach but it is coming down dramatically and if it does reduce further, the 20-time English league champions could go after him.
🚨🇸🇦 Ivan Toney, one of the main strikers being considered by Saudi Pro League clubs for the final weeks of the window.
Toney, appreciated by Al Ahli already since last January window and he’s still on SPL shortlist.
No decision on player side, he’s assessing options. pic.twitter.com/JNDiIMcjXJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2024
But Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the England international is attracting plenty of interest from the Saudi Pro League with Al Ahli watching him closely since January.
“Ivan Toney, one of the main strikers being considered by Saudi Pro League clubs for the final weeks of the window,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Toney’s future
“Toney, appreciated by Al Ahli already since last January window and he’s still on SPL shortlist. No decision on player side, he’s assessing options.”
It is well known that the Englishman is asking for massive wages from his potential suitors and a move to the Middle East guarantees a fat paycheck.
But the striker might want to test himself at a bigger club and there are a lot of clubs in England who are interested.
Whether United can join that bandwagon remains to be seen. If it has to materialise, a lot of sales will be required with INEOS struggling on that front so far.
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