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Tag: Harvey Elliott

Liverpool Focus on Rio Ngumoha Instead of Pursuing Fofana or Barcola Transfers

Liverpool’s commitment to Rio Ngumoha shaping transfer decisions

In an effort to ensure a clear path to the first team for Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool have opted against targeting certain players during the transfer window.

Ngumoha, who is set to celebrate his 17th birthday later this week, has made one senior appearance so far. The milestone will also mark the signing of his first professional contract, aligning with his status as a first-team consideration.

The young forward made a strong impression during pre-season, particularly with goals against Yokohama F. Marinos and Athletic Club. His performances have signaled he is set to take on a larger role in the upcoming campaign.

Arne Slot is aware Liverpool “have to take care” when it comes to integrating Ngumoha and fellow youngster Trey Nyoni into the high demands of senior-level football. The club has made a deliberate effort not to place obstacles in their development path.

According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Liverpool “have said they would rather create a pathway” for Ngumoha “than sign Bradley Barcola or Malick Fofana.”

Both Barcola (22) and Fofana (20) are talented wide attackers, but bringing them in would have potentially curtailed Ngumoha’s opportunities in the forward line—not just this season, but in the longer term as well.

This decision underscores the high esteem in which the 16-year-old is held. Despite being linked to PSG’s Barcola and Lyon’s Fofana during a transformative summer, Liverpool have stayed focused on internal growth aligned with Slot’s vision.

Instead of spending big, the Reds are choosing to invest in Ngumoha and their own developmental infrastructure. That said, they’ve yet to finalize a compensation agreement with Chelsea for the youngster’s move.

Should negotiations fail, a tribunal will determine the fee—similar to how Liverpool secured Harvey Elliott from Fulham when he was 16.

Ngumoha will be carefully managed to avoid excessive pressure, but his pre-season form suggests he’s ready to embrace the spotlight.

Slot has also minimized talk of needing more attacking reinforcements ahead of the September 1 deadline, though Alexander Isak remains on strike in pursuit of a transfer to Anfield

August 25, 2025
Latest on Harvey Elliott’s Transfer Value and Interest with Three Clubs Linked

Harvey Elliott’s Future Hangs in the Balance Amid U21 Euro Heroics

Harvey Elliott is turning heads at the U21 European Championship—and not just for his goals.

The 22-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been in red-hot form for England U21s, netting four goals, including a stunning brace that booked the Young Lions a place in the final against Germany. With all eyes on Saturday’s clash, Elliott’s stock is rising fast—and so is the speculation surrounding his future.

Despite the growing noise, Elliott’s focus has remained on the pitch. But with the final just days away, the conversation around his next move is heating up. Sources now name Brighton, West Ham, and RB Leipzig as clubs closely monitoring the situation.

Elliott, who openly admitted at the end of the season that he may need to leave Anfield to avoid “wasting years” of his career, could be on the verge of a career-defining decision.

According to The Daily Mail, Liverpool would demand at least £40 million for a summer transfer—a remarkable profit from the £4.3 million they paid Fulham after a tribunal decision in 2021. Since then, Elliott has racked up 143 appearances in red.

But his 2024 season told a different story.

Under new head coach Arne Slot, Elliott logged just 826 minutes in all competitions. A damaging ankle injury early on saw him fall down the pecking order, starting just once in the Premier League—and only after the title was mathematically sealed.

Slot spoke candidly about Elliott’s struggles:

“Harvey is one of the players who hasn’t had as much playing time as he maybe deserves, but like some others, he’s in competition with so many good players that mainly I’ve chosen,” he said back in May.

“Also partly because he was injured for a long time… the first part after he came back from his injury he wasn’t the same as he was before.”

But Slot added, encouragingly:

“The last few months he’s back to his old level again… I like him more now than I did the first months when he came back from his injury.”

That resurgence may be coming just in time.

As Elliott prepares for what could be his last game as a Liverpool player, plans for his next chapter—and that of teammates Tyler Morton and Jarell Quansah (who’s nearing a move to Bayer Leverkusen)—are expected to unfold shortly after the final whistle in Berlin.

Stay tuned—this summer could be pivotal for Harvey Elliott.

June 27, 2025
Three fresh options for Liverpool have emerged at the perfect moment for Arne Slot

Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League last-16 with a win over Lille, with manager Arne Slot making slight rotations to his team. Three players, including Harvey Elliott, stood out in the match.

Slot and his players have largely downplayed claims that they are currently the world’s best team, but with their performance continuing to speak for itself, that sentiment may not hold much longer. Leading both the Premier League and Champions League, with a perfect record in the latter, Liverpool is in a position anyone else would envy. Still, there are areas in which the Reds can continue to improve.

Elliott, who came on at halftime, was pivotal in securing the win against Lille, showing great energy throughout the second half. His lively runs and a speculative shot contributed to the second goal. Despite limited appearances this season, Elliott has made notable impacts when called upon, such as providing an assist and a “pre-assist” against Brentford. On Tuesday, he delivered the match-winning goal. Though starting opportunities might be scarce due to competition from Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, Elliott has made it clear that he intends to fight for his place. Being a super-sub for his boyhood club, especially with the chance to compete for four trophies, is far from a bad position to be in.

Federico Chiesa also displayed sharpness during the match, nearly scoring with a strong shot that forced a save from Lille’s goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier. Though his impact at Liverpool has been limited since his summer transfer from Juventus, Chiesa is determined to stay and could still play a significant role. Like Elliott, he may mainly feature off the bench, but in football, moments can make all the difference, as Darwin Nunez demonstrated last weekend.

Additionally, Jarell Quansah had his best performance of the season. With Joe Gomez still “weeks” away from returning and Ibrahima Konate’s fitness needing to be managed, Quansah’s timing was perfect. Virgil van Dijk is capable of playing every minute, but it’s not advisable, so trusting all available options—including Quansah—will be crucial moving forward.

Lille’s Jonathan David, who has as many goals in Europe this season as Harry Kane and Viktor Gyokeres, was largely kept quiet. He did manage to beat Alisson Becker once in the second half, but Quansah should not be blamed.

It’s a cliché, but each of Elliott, Chiesa, and Quansah could be considered “like new signings” for Liverpool in the second half of the season, given their limited involvement in the earlier months. If they continue to improve and make an impact, either starting or from the bench, they could play a much bigger role going forward.

While there are still emerging transfer needs, particularly at left-back, holding midfield, and striker, the contributions of these three players could be a significant boost for Slot’s pursuit of multiple trophies.

January 23, 2025
Arne Slot issues message to Harvey Elliott amid Liverpool transfer speculation

Arne Slot has declined to comment on rumors connecting Harvey Elliott with a departure from Liverpool but acknowledged that the midfielder has expressed frustration over his limited playing time this season.

Elliott has yet to start a Premier League match this year and was left on the bench during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. The England Under-21 international has only started two games so far, one against Southampton in the Carabao Cup and another in the recent 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.

The former Fulham player has played only 43 minutes in the Premier League this season, with a foot injury in September causing a nearly three-month absence between early September and late November.

Earlier this month, Elliott was rumored to be a target for both Brighton & Hove Albion and Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. While Slot did not elaborate on these speculations, he suggested it “would be weird” if the 21-year-old were entirely content with his current role in the squad.

“The last thing you asked (about Elliott’s game-time) is completely sure,” Slot remarked. “It would be weird if he would come to me and say: ‘I’m so happy with the playing time I have at the moment.’ But the first thing you ask me (about transfer rumors) is the same answer every single time.

“We don’t talk about rumors regarding players in contract talks or players linked with other clubs. That he wants to play more is natural because if he were happy with his current situation, that would be the wrong thing.

“But every single day he is working as hard as he can. But like Federico [Chiesa]—because many people ask about him, who is in competition with Mo Salah—Harvey is in competition with four or five very good midfielders, you may agree with me or not.

“And I like the way we played in the last 20-25 minutes at Forest, so that for me is not a reason to change. If you want to bring that moment back, we played quite well in the first hour but we didn’t create many chances, so I made a substitution.

“I put Ryan Gravenberch as a centre-back and took Ibou (Ibrahima Konate) out because I wanted to create more chances. But when we created a lot of chances, I didn’t see it necessary to make another change because we were all waiting for a goal.”

Elliott is expected to be part of the squad for Saturday’s match against Brentford.

January 18, 2025
Liverpool Injury Updates and Return Timelines for Alisson, Mac Allister, and Chiesa Before Chelsea Match

Latest Liverpool Injury Update: Four Players Unfit Ahead of October International Break

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is optimistic about the return of some players following the October international break. In their last match before the break, the Reds secured a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace, with Diogo Jota netting the sole goal.

This marked their sixth win of the season, keeping them at the top of the table, just one point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom also achieved victories against Fulham and Southampton.

After the international break, Liverpool faces a series of challenging matches, beginning with a home game against Chelsea, followed by an away fixture against Arsenal. In terms of injuries, Harvey Elliott has been sidelined for seven games due to a fractured foot.

Federico Chiesa joined him in the treatment room after sustaining an injury during training before their Champions League victory over Bologna last week.

Alisson

Injury: Hamstring.

Slot commented, “The latest is that we don’t know, but what we do know is that if a player walks off like he did, that normally means he is not in the Brazil squad, and I don’t expect him to be in the team for our first game after [the international break].”

He added, “We have to wait and see, but I assume it will take a few weeks for him to return. I think it is [his hamstring].”

The exact return date remains unclear.

Alexis Mac Allister

Injury: Groin.

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Slot also mentioned, “He went off because of an injury, but how severe it is is difficult for me to judge at this moment. He could have continued playing, as it didn’t happen right before half-time, but he felt it a bit too much and decided it wasn’t wise to keep playing, since you never know if it could worsen.”

He noted, “Now, what is the exact situation? Can he go to Argentina? Can he play there? That’s hard for me to tell you right now. [It’s an issue] in his groin area.”

The player stated, “I felt a slight discomfort during the game, but nothing that will stop me. Now I’m fully focused on what’s ahead.”

Possible return date: Chelsea (H) – October 20.

Harvey Elliott

Injury: Fractured foot.

Slot mentioned, “I’m not expecting him to be out for a very long period of time.”

Possible return date: Chelsea (H) – October 20.

Regarding Harvey Elliott, who has a fractured foot, Slot remarked, “Harvey is, of course, a big disappointment for him but also for us.” He added, “Okay, he didn’t play that much in the first three games, but he performed well in pre-season and showcased his abilities.”

Slot noted, “If he had stayed fit, he would have had plenty of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else.”

Possible return date: Chelsea (H) – October 20.

October 6, 2024
Liverpool Injury Updates: Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa’s status and expected return dates

Liverpool is set to rebound from their recent defeat to Nottingham Forest as they prepare for their Champions League match against AC Milan. The Reds are heading to Italy for their first group stage game of the restructured competition.

Arne Slot’s team enters the match following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Forest in the Premier League over the weekend. This setback ended Liverpool’s perfect start to the season, prompting them to refocus ahead of their European return.

On Tuesday night, Liverpool will visit the San Siro to compete against Milan in the Champions League. This will be Liverpool’s first game in the competition since April 2023 and their initial experience with the tournament’s new format.

This season, Liverpool will play eight group stage matches in the Champions League, beginning with this away fixture in Milan. They will also face RB Leipzig, Girona, and PSV Eindhoven away, while hosting Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Bologna, and Lille at Anfield.

The ECHO has compiled the latest updates on Liverpool’s injury and fitness concerns leading up to the Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Harvey Elliott

Injury: Fractured foot

Harvey Elliott is sidelined due to a fractured foot sustained during international duty with the England Under-21s. He is expected to be out for up to six weeks, with a return not anticipated until after the October international break.

“Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but also for us,” Slot said to reporters on September 13. “Okay, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and showed himself really well. If he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else. It’s first and foremost a blow for himself but also for us, availability is important in the stage of the season when we play seven games in 22 days. He will work as hard as always to come back in the best possible way.”

Potential return date: Late October

Federico Chiesa

Injury: Lack of match fitness

Federico Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus last month, has not yet made his debut for the club but is not currently injured. The forward did not feature in the squads for the Premier League matches against Manchester United or Nottingham Forest.

During the international break, Chiesa focused on regaining his fitness and worked with the Liverpool Under-21 squad at the AXA Training Centre.

There is a chance Chiesa could make his long-awaited debut for Liverpool when the team travels to Italy to face Milan in the Champions League.

September 17, 2024
Harvey Elliott Hits Major Injury Setback as Liverpool Midfielder Breaks Foot

Liverpool will be missing midfielder Harvey Elliott for an extended period due to a broken foot.

The 21-year-old sustained the injury during an England Under-21s training session last week after experiencing discomfort, leading to his withdrawal from the squad. The full extent of the injury has now been confirmed.

According to *The Times*, Elliott is expected to be out until late October, which will be frustrating for Liverpool manager Arne Slot given the team’s hectic schedule.

Despite playing only seven minutes this season after his brief appearance in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brentford in August, Elliott would have likely been involved in the ten matches Liverpool is set to play before their fixture against Arsenal on October 27th.

Liverpool resumes their campaign post-international break with a home match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. They have won their first three games this season, but losing Elliott is a setback given the upcoming rapid sequence of fixtures.

From now until Liverpool’s clash with Crystal Palace on October 5th, they will face two games a week. Following the Nottingham Forest match, they will play AC Milan in the Champions League and then Bournemouth at Anfield. Subsequently, they will host West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, travel to face Wolves, and then take on Bologna in the Champions League and Crystal Palace before the October international break.

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Liverpool’s new home shirt for the 2024/2025 season features a chrome yellow pattern and is inspired by the iconic ’84 home shirt, celebrating the Reds’ fourth European Cup win and their historic treble. It is available for purchase now.

With Liverpool shifting to a 4-2-3-1 formation under Slot, Elliott’s chances in a central midfield role would have been limited. However, he might have seen opportunities off the bench, potentially as a right-wing substitute for Mohamed Salah or in a more advanced role behind Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez.

The addition of Federico Chiesa might further reduce Elliott’s chances on the right wing. Chiesa has been training with his new teammates during the international break as he integrates into the squad.

Liverpool.com notes: “Losing Elliott is a blow for Liverpool. While not a regular starter, the 21-year-old is a talented player who can pose a threat from the bench. Fortunately, Liverpool has a deep roster of attacking options. However, there’s no doubt that having Elliott available would be preferable.”

September 11, 2024
Liverpool’s star has been sent back home as Arne Slot faces an injury setback during the international break

Liverpool, who have started the new season unbeaten under Arne Slot, are now facing a potential injury concern during the first international break of the campaign.

Harvey Elliott has been forced to withdraw from the England U21 squad, marking a possible injury setback for Liverpool. Elliott is one of five players to have left the squad due to injury. Although he initially joined the squad at St George’s Park, he was sent back to Liverpool for “further medical assessment.”

In addition to Elliott, Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson, Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene, and Wigan’s Sam Tickle have also withdrawn due to injuries. Adam Wharton stayed with Crystal Palace after experiencing a groin issue.

In their place, Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe, West Brom’s Tom Fellows, and Brentford’s Matthew Cox have been called up for the upcoming matches against Northern Ireland and Austria.

Elliott has had only one appearance for Liverpool this season, a brief substitute appearance in their 2-0 victory over Brentford. He is expected to have more chances as the schedule intensifies following the international break.

Liverpool will hope that Elliott’s injury is not serious, as he aims to make an impact this season under Slot. Reflecting on his experience with the new manager, Elliott stated, “The style of play is a lot different. It’s more about in possession now.” He added, “The players are excited, we play certain patterns, it is a good buzz around the team and the lads are excited to apply it in games. It’s a fresh start for everyone. I don’t think it is nerves but excitement. I think we [will learn it] very quickly to be honest.”

Elliott observed, “We have seen in the last game there were certain moments where the amazing football was free-flowing. It’s pre-season and it is only the first couple of games and we need to keep trusting what they are teaching us. We need to keep going if things don’t work out [immediately] because it is all new.”

He emphasized, “It is down to me to work as hard as I can, perform in training and games, so it is on myself. There’s no one I could blame apart from me. I just wanted to come back early to get to grips with the new style of play and meet the coaching staff and gaffer for the first time.”

Elliott concluded, “It gives me a chance to get up and running in pre-season. I feel like I’ve done that. I just need to keep going and building.”

September 5, 2024
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both agree that the young player is Liverpool’s own Bernardo Silva

Arne Slot, who started the Premier League match against Ipswich Town without including this Liverpool player in his starting lineup, has been praised by Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

Even if he won’t always start games for Liverpool, Harvey Elliott might have a significant part to play this season. He was a fantastic sub last season, and at Ipswich Town last Saturday, Dominik Szoboszlai got off to an earlier start than him.

Even though he is still only 21 years old, it doesn’t mean he can’t advance even further in the upcoming months. In agreement, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have compared Elliott to one of the top players in the Premier League. Carragher said to Sky Sports, “[Arne Slot’s system] actually probably suits him a little bit more than Jurgen Klopp’s.”

“Under Klopp, he used to play on the right in place of Mohamed Salah, but he lacks the speed for it. He is a centre of gravity player, in my opinion. Slot, in my opinion, plays closer to a 10.

“I always thought last season, when I watched Liverpool, every time he came on they had more about them,” Neville said. “He really enhanced them. With all due respect, I believe he is a player that would be fantastic in Spain and that he will have a fantastic future at Liverpool. To be honest, his playing style and technical proficiency…

“He would be loved by Pep Guardiola. Similar to a Bernardo Silva, you evaluate him based on his style of play. The other day, I came across the excellent term “wide-controllers.” That’s how he is. He has a broad view on the game. He would be adored by Pep. He’s a player I like.”

According to Liverpool.com: Elliott is a great talent with plenty of room to grow, He will still be extremely valuable even if he is unable to pass Szoboszlai to become Anfield’s first number 10 on the roster. Although he won’t like it, he benefited by playing more minutes on the bench the previous season. Because he had saved his legs, he was more alert and fresh when we saw him.

More news……

Journalist shares the TRUTH about Bruno Guimaraes to Liverpool link following £51m deal rejection

Since Martin Zubimendi chose not to accept a transfer to Liverpool, focus has shifted to possible substitutes.

The Euro 2024 winner chose to remain with Real Sociedad, which was a disappointment for the Reds, who had targeted the Spain international in a £51 million deal to strengthen their defensive midfield options.

The fact that there is still time until the transfer window shuts to conclude some business will undoubtedly come as a blow to new head coach Arne Slot, who hasn’t welcomed a new player since taking over for Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.

Regarding potential Zubimendi substitutes for Liverpool, it’s important to note that Teun Koopmeiners, who played for Slot at AZ Alkmaar, has been actively courted.

That being stated, Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is one name that has been circulating lately. Journalist James Pearce, however, has disclosed the giants of Merseyside’s position on a potential sale.

Liverpool “not interested” in Bruno Guimaraes

“Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes has been touted as a possible alternative to Zubimendi – but senior Liverpool sources, kept anonymous to protect relationships, are adamant they have no interest in the Brazilian,” Pearce wrote in The Athletic.

Given what the 26-year-old has recently spoken regarding his future, it’s a good thing Liverpool has no plans to pursue a deal for the Brazilian; otherwise, another rejection would have been imminent.

“I have never stated that I would like to leave; I am here. As reported by the Daily Mirror, “Since I signed, I want to add my name to the club’s history and nothing changes.”

“My agency is interested in this; I don’t get involved in it. I have no knowledge about it. Newcastle is my main priority, and I’m happy.”

August 24, 2024
Five talking points as Liverpool exposes Man Utd’s issues in their preseason match

LIVERPOOL 3-0 MAN UTD: Erik ten Hag witnessed his team’s preseason struggles on both sides of the ball as Arne Slot defeated his fellow Dutchman.

When the two most successful teams in English football squared off in South Carolina, Liverpool defeated Manchester United.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool prevailed in front of 77,559 spectators at the Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, despite playing one fewer preseason game than Erik ten Hag’s United.

Liverpool defeated United with a well-earned victory thanks to goals from Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, and Kostas Tsimikas. United was unable to compete with its rivals and lost humiliatingly in front of Saturday’ Community Shield against Manchester City.

Following the game, both teams took a direct flight home, and these are the five talking points from their most recent US tour games.

Suspect from United at the back

Ten Hag’s decision to bench Harry Maguire for the Liverpool match speaks volumes about United’s lack of defensive options in the wake of £59 million transfer Leny Yoro’s three-month absence due to injury sustained during the tour opener against Arsenal. Ten Hag is now down to three centre backs—Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof—without Yoro, and he can’t afford for any of them to be hurt.

By halftime, Liverpool had jumped out to a 2-0 lead, both goals assisted by their bitter rivals, United, who had played carelessly in defence. Ten Hag is not helped by the fact that two of his makeshift back four—Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof—are set to depart for the appropriate price.

Additionally, Mo Salah presented a formidable challenge to 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass, who was forced to play in lieu of Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. This performance made it clear why Ten Hag wants to add two more defensive players before the transfer window opens. Shaw and Lisandro Martinez will resume training this week, but before the window closes, United has to recruit another defender.

Prior to the new season, Rashford appears sharp

With so little success last season—both on and off the field—and no spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad, Marcus Rashford is expected to have a great deal of pressure going into this new season. Ten Hag urged Rashford to stay focused both on and off the pitch, and the player rose to the occasion, putting up strong performances during his tour and winning a goal and an assist against Arsenal before leading Liverpool in his final performance.

Rashford turned Jarell Quansah and left him trailing him before attempting the same move with Harvey Elliott in the penalty area, but his angled shot was pulled wide. After playing nowhere near his best the previous season, Rashford has a lot expected of him this time around. His lively first-half performance suggested he had overcome the lethargy that dogged him and is prepared to start off strong.

Mount displays hints of a return to form.

Mason Mount is another player who, following a terrible first season at United, has something to prove this next season. After joining United for £60 million from Chelsea, Mount’s first season was marred by injuries and subpar play when he was healthy. Like Rashford, the midfielder only made five starts in the Premier League and was left out of England’s Euro 2024 roster.

Similar to Rashford, Mount was a dynamic player who used cunning movement to get into some dangerous positions and breach Liverpool’s defence to generate opportunities, even though they eventually ended in nothing. Early on, he fired straight at Caoimhin Kelleher. Later, he sprinted onto a deft pass from Casemiro, but the Liverpool custodian stopped him again. Jadon Sancho then received a wonderful cross from Mount, and he ought to have headed the ball on goal.

Elliott emphasises the importance

Following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Philadelphia, Harvey Elliott received high appreciation from new head coach Slot for his two assists on goals. Elliott’s dynamic and enterprising performance against United, where the attacking midfielder was at the centre of his team’s expansive showing against their bitter rivals, will have even more impressed the Anfield manager.

Elliott was undoubtedly Liverpool’s most creative and dynamic player, able to play as a No. 10 but also having the freedom to drift out wide. This suggested Elliott could establish himself as the team’s focal point, something he failed to do under Jurgen Klopp. Elliott started just 11 Premier League games in the previous season. Based on his impactful 65-minute performance, the 21-year-old will undoubtedly surpass that number this season.

United must score more goals.

United scored the fewest goals in the top 10 last season—57—en route to their lowest-ever Premier League finish of ninth. Following his early goal against Arsenal in Los Angeles, Rasmus Hojlund suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out of the game for at least six weeks. This has caused Ten Hag a great deal of headaches over who will play up front and where the goals will come from.

While Rashford likes to start on the left and move inside, Jadon Sancho attempted to impress as a false nine against Betis and Liverpool. Joshua Zirkzee, a £36.5 million addition that United acquired from Bologna, did not go with the team; instead, he started his preseason in Manchester and is still somewhat of an unknown.

In Hojlund’s forced absence, it is consequently difficult to predict who will score goals for United. In light of this, one could argue that United needs a striker just as much as a defender, but given their restricted transfer budget due to profit and sustainability regulations, it is unlikely that they will be able to purchase both, barring a substantial revenue boost through player sales.

August 4, 2024