Is Nunez really the player Man Utd need?
Cameron Smith
- 31 May 2022 15:45 CDT
- 4 min read
Darwin Nunez looks set to leave Benfica this summer after a stellar 2021/22 season thrust himself into the spotlight of the watching world and into the plans of managers across Europe.
The 22-year-old netted 34 goals in just 41 games in all competitions in a breakout campaign that has attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal.
Manchester United are also interested, with Erik ten Hag set to be left with just one recognised senior striker when Edinson Cavani departs upon the expiration of his contract.
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TalkSPORT have reported Man Utd are pursuing a deal for the Uruguayan forward, with Benfica setting an €80 million (£68m) price tag for the player. The player is reportedly keen to join Erik ten Hag at the club, but the Red Devils will need to convince him to join without the allure of Champions League football after they finished sixth in the Premier League.
With three years left on his contract, Benfica are in the driving seat when it comes to Nunez's future, although it does seem likely he departs the club this summer.
He arrived at the Portuguese giants after impressing at second-tier Spanish club UD Almeria after leaving his native Uruguay. A slow first season in Portugal saw him score just six league goals after arriving for a club record fee, but he did contribute 10 league assists.
However, his transformation this season has seen big clubs start paying attention. Barcelona were keeping an eye on Nunez before he joined Benfica, but Man Utd have grew into admirers of the player this season.
With six Champions League goals in 10 appearances this season, Nunez has impressed in European competition and appears set to follow in the path of Joao Felix in leaving Benfica for a large sum of money.
Exports from Portugal have been relatively successful for Premier League teams in recent years, with Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias two standouts in that regard. Leicester City's Ricardo Pereira is another one, which suggests the Portuguese league is a hotbed for exciting talents who are capable of playing at the highest level.
Nunez is another example and could follow Fernandes in making the journey from Portugal to Old Trafford. But, is he the player Man Utd need?
Do Man Utd need Nunez?
Unfortunately for the Old Trafford club, their recent investment has rewarded very little. Close to €800 million has been spent on transfer since their most recent trophy - the 2016/17 Europa League triumph - and much of the squad now needs turning over.
The issue of central midfield has been present for several years, and the failures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire have left the defence in need of reinforcements as well. David de Gea may not suit Ten Hag's style of play, while the Spaniard is also nearing the end of his career having been at Old Trafford for over a decade.
However, despite signing Jadon Sancho and possessing the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Martial, options out wide are wanted, while Cavani's exit leaves a gaping hole through the middle.
Ronaldo may still be excellent, but at 37 he can't play two games a week to the highest standard, so another option is needed. In that regard, Nunez suits perfectly.
He is a proven goal-scorer who would ease the burden on Ronaldo. Question marks do remain over whether he is a lone striker or not, given the fact he's often played with a partner at Benfica, and regularly drifts out to the left. In this sense, he's similar to Timo Werner, whose move to Chelsea hasn't worked out.
Furthermore, while Nunez made just 18.7 passes per 90 during the 2021/22 Portuguese league season. By comparison, Sebastian Haller made 26.6 passes per 90 in a similarly-dominant side in Ajax under Ten Hag. Even Ronaldo, who isn't known for his creativity or ability to link play, made 32.2 passes per 90 at Man Utd.
Nunez may well be able to add more involvement in general play under Ten Hag at Man Utd, but it's certainly an area of his game that is lacking.
However, he is a clinical finisher, scoring six goals from an xG of just 3.0 in the Champions League in the 2021/22 campaign. This overperformance suggests Nunez could experience a serious drop in his numbers, but it could simply highlight his ability in front of goal.
There may not be a perfect forward for Man Utd, and while Nunez certainly has flaws, he could be a sensible addition to a squad lacking genuine quality in forward areas.
