Ronaldo unfit, Martial doubtful - Man Utd could pay an early price for shambolic summer

Suraj Radia

• 4 Aug 2022 11:31 CDT
• 4 min read

Manchester United are already facing a crisis up front as they head into the new season having failed to address their most pressing issue during the transfer window so far.

Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge against Brighton could see him forced into playing wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo despite him featuring in just one pre-season game, after Anthony Martial picked up a hamstring injury.

Martial himself was thought to have no future at Old Trafford after failing to make an impact on loan at Sevilla last season but United’s disastrous planning means the Frenchman is likely to be a regular feature in the team despite doubts over his ability.

The only other senior striking option in Ten Hag’s squad is Marcus Rashford, however the England international prefers to play on the left and is coming off a poor season where he only netted four times.

With all of their forwards providing an unconvincing case as a leading striker, United may be set for early struggles as they pay the price for another underwhelming transfer window.

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New era, same old mistakes

The need to bolster their attacking options has been a top priority for United all window but the club have brought in three players this summer, none of whom are forwards.

United posted their third-worst goalscoring season in Premier League history last year, netting just 57 times, with 28 of those coming from Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.

While doubts remain over Ronaldo’s ability to feature in a high-intensity pressing system, losing the source of 18 Premier League goals would be disastrous should they not replace him.

The majority of United’s window has been spent pursuing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona but the midfielder is unlikely to join after months of negotiations.

The club have also missed out on the likes of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool as well as winger Antony, who was targeted by Ten Hag but is now likely to stay at Ajax after they slapped a €100 million pricetag on him.

Elite forwards have been something of a luxury in the market this summer but United have failed to truly identify a target up front and pursue them effectively, instead focusing on the defence and their fruitless pursuit of De Jong.

A move for RB Salzburg forward Benjamin Sesko is though to be on the agenda but the 19-year-old could command a fee in excess of £55m amid interest from other sides.

It is likely, though, that United’s search for a forward will continue into the final few weeks of the window and their increasing desperation will surely be utilised in negotiations by selling clubs.

And with winnable games against Brighton, Southampton and Brentford coming up in August, points dropped for United will undoubtedly, not for the first time, be a case of self-sabotage after their failure to secure a forward.

Ten Hag has been left in the awkward position of having a half-complete squad going into his debut campaign and the club may live to regret their poor transfer business come the end of the season.