Erik ten Hag is poised to bolster his squad during the January transfer market in an attempt to turn the tide of the club’s on-field performances, as current reports suggest.
Despite the significant £72 million summer investment in Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United’s offensive woes persist, with the team struggling to carve out consistent goal-scoring opportunities.
In a recent match against Fulham on Saturday, Hojlund was substituted at the 79-minute mark, notably without having a single shot on target, in what turned out to be a narrow win for United at Craven Cottage.
The Danish forward isn’t the only player failing to meet expectations; Antony has yet to contribute a goal or an assist this season. Meanwhile, both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have collectively managed to tally just a handful of goals in their 27 appearances, as per statistics from Transfermarkt.
In light of these issues, it appears United might be ready to secure a solution for their offensive line.
The Mirror reports that Manchester United have set their sights on Flamengo’s Gabriel Barbosa. With a contract expiring at the end of 2024, the Brazilian striker could be available for around £20 million.
As per the report, there’s also talk of Flamengo’s interest in acquiring Antony on a loan basis, a move that could potentially lead to a swap arrangement. However, United’s attempt to sign Barbosa is challenged by interest from AC Milan.
Image Credits: Getty Images
Barbosa has had a stellar run at Flamengo, with an impressive record of 139 goals and 38 assists across 246 matches in all contests, as per Transfermarkt’s data. Flamengo icon Zico has previously praised Barbosa, stating he “has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history.”
With such an impressive portfolio, the 27-year-old striker now stands on the cusp of a new chapter, as Manchester United contemplates a bid for his services. This prospective transfer could be exactly what the Red Devils need to reinvigorate their attacking prowess for the latter stages of the season.
