Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim’s fresh stewardship, appears to be undergoing a strategic attacking overhaul. Following a tumultuous season, Amorim is wasting no time. The signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million is just the opening act. Talks are also underway to bring in Bryan Mbeumo, signaling that the club is prioritizing both quality and tactical fit in the final third. But the most seismic shift may be the hunt for a new striker—one who could edge Rasmus Højlund out of the picture entirely.
Højlund’s time at United hasn’t panned out as hoped. Though he was maligned for his low goal tally—just four in 32 league matches—data shows he wasn’t necessarily inefficient. His issue was more about lack of service than poor finishing. According to Sofascore, he missed just six clear-cut chances, suggesting that United’s midfield and wing support may have let him down. Regardless, his struggles have reopened links to a potential return to Serie A, two years after his £72 million move from Atalanta.
With Viktor Gyökeres now off the table, United have pivoted toward Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old Frenchman, currently at Eintracht Frankfurt, has drawn interest from elite sides like Chelsea and Liverpool. Spanish reports claim United have already made contact. But Frankfurt’s €100 million (£84 million) price tag is a steep climb. Still, the potential upside is too tempting for the Red Devils to ignore—especially considering Ekitike’s meteoric rise and versatile skill set.
Ekitike is more than a flashy prospect; he’s producing results. In the 2024/25 season, he racked up 22 goals and 12 assists across competitions. That’s elite-tier output for someone his age. Analysts like Ben Mattinson call him one of Europe’s best young strikers, while Graeme Bailey goes as far as labeling him “the next Mbappé.” Unlike Højlund, Ekitike thrives in high-intensity pressing systems and contributes heavily to build-up play, making him an ideal match for Amorim’s tactical vision.
The raw numbers don’t lie. Ekitike trumps Højlund in nearly every key metric per 90 minutes: goals (0.51 to 0.30), assists (0.29 to 0.06), shots (3.74 to 1.65), and shot-creating actions (3.50 to 2.07). His ability to get into dangerous zones, progress the ball, and recover possession positions him as a far more dynamic and complete attacker. It’s not just about goals—it’s about being the tip of the spear in a fluid, modern attack.
Amorim’s ideal frontline would likely feature Ekitike centrally, flanked by Cunha and Mbeumo. Each player offers different attributes—Cunha brings press resistance and movement, Mbeumo adds creativity and width, while Ekitike blends speed with sharp positioning and clinical finishing. Together, they could form a cohesive triangle of destruction that breathes life into United’s long-stagnant offense.
If this deal materializes, it’s likely curtains for Højlund’s stint as United’s lead striker. While not completely written off, his limitations in a high-octane, positionally fluid system are becoming increasingly apparent. Amorim’s system doesn’t just demand goals—it demands intelligence, pressing, and adaptability, all of which Ekitike seems to embody with more consistency and flair.
The verdict? Ekitike isn’t just a promising signing—he could be a turning point. If United manage to negotiate Frankfurt’s valuation, he could very well become the face of their new era. Young, hungry, tactically tuned, and technically gifted, he’s everything INEOS and Amorim could hope for in a long-term striker solution.
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