On Friday night, Manchester United suffered a defeat. Once more. The Red Devils have already lost 18 Premier League games this season; their last hope for a break is next week in Bilbao, Spain.
Ruben Amorim’s team will have the opportunity to upset equally struggling Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday in order to guarantee Champions League play for the upcoming campaign.
Although neither team’s domestic campaign merits a spot among Europe’s best the following season, United has always had a way of eking out a victory, even during the gloomy years following Sir Alex Ferguson’s resignation at the end of the 2012–13 campaign after winning one more league trophy.
| Man United – Titles won since 2014 | |
|---|---|
| Competition | No. of Titles |
| FA Cup | 2x (15/16, 23/24) |
| League Cup | 2x (16/17, 22/23) |
| Community Shield | 2x (13/14, 16/17) |
| Europa League | 1x (16/17) |
| Sourced via Transfermarkt | |
It is essential to win the Europa League. Man United needs to find a way out of this problem as they are now in 16th place in the Premier League. Particularly considering that earning a spot at the top level of the continent the following year might be the deciding element in Bruno Fernandes’ future.
The latest on Bruno Fernandes’ future
According to a recent article by Fabrizio Romano, Fernandes, 30, has been Manchester United’s unmatched leader for a number of years. He is the greatest player among a bad group, but he can still hold his head high, which has drawn interest from other teams.
Amorim has declared the Portugal great to be the “perfect captain” for the Old Trafford team, calling him a “legend.” He has scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists each season.
However, securing a successful season finale is essential given the Saudi Pro League’s interest. United cannot afford to lose their key influencer, leader, or playmaker.
However, during the coming years, INEOS is preparing to sign a successor, ideally one who can learn from the Magnifico.
With Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich vying for the coveted 10, Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen may be out of United’s grasp, but the club has shown some cunning by preparing to move for a lot less expensive but no less intriguing talent.
Man United enter talks for sought-after star
Rayan Cherki’s advisors have reportedly approached Man United as interest in the Lyon player heats up ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Caught Offside.
Although a lot of teams are interested in the talented playmaker, it seems that Liverpool and United are now expressing the strongest interest. while they try to sign the France U21 player.
Liverpool is a huge fan, but because of their stake in Wirtz, United has a great chance to move talks along with Cherki’s team and quickly finalize a deal.
According to reports earlier this month, the 21-year-old’s Lyon contract is likely to approach its final year, which might make him available for a discounted £25 million fee.
What Rayan Cherki would bring to Man United
Cherki has performed admirably this season, and for good reason. In forty-three games across all competitions, the sly Frenchman has scored twelve goals and provided nineteen assists.
Although Wirtz may be ahead of him with 16 goals, Cherki’s inventiveness is superior to that of the Die Werkself player, who has 16 assists, demonstrating his considerable talent.
You can see why United is so eager to complete a deal as soon as possible when you compare his league metrics this season to Wirtz’s.
| League Stats 24/25 – Rayan Cherki vs Florian Wirtz | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (* per game) | Cherki | Wirtz |
| Matches (starts) | 29 (21) | 30 (24) |
| Goals | 8 | 10 |
| Assists | 10 | 12 |
| Shots (on target)* | 1.4 (0.7) | 2.5 (1.2) |
| Big chances missed | 1 | 7 |
| Pass completion | 84% | 82% |
| Big chances created | 21 | 17 |
| Key passes* | 2.4 | 1.9 |
| Dribbles* | 1.5 | 2.7 |
| Ball recoveries* | 2.8 | 3.6 |
| Tackles + interceptions* | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| Duels won* | 3.2 | 5.3 |
| All stats via Sofascore | ||
In just 29 Ligue 1 games this season, Lyon’s best player has produced 21 excellent opportunities and averaged three dribbles per game. Although Cherki isn’t as aggressive or active in the battle, he isn’t exactly portrayed negatively.
This might be a huge delight for Amorim next season, especially for United, who have occasionally struggled with drab forward play this season. Additionally, he has scored eight goals and missed just one significant opportunity in the league, demonstrating his adaptability and clinical play when given the opportunity.
Speaking to BBC Sport, former Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles waxed poetic about his friend from Lyon. “I have never seen a more exceptional natural talent than him. A marvel with the ball, a true maestro.
Man United needs this kind of flare to regain the attacking fluidity that has been lacking all season. According to FBref, Cherki is in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for assists over the last 12 months, the top 2% for progressive passes and shot creation, the top 4% for passes attempted, and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.
The fact that FBref’s data-driven algorithm has determined that Wirtz is among his most statistically comparable players is a powerful indication of his exceptional caliber.
With the current transfer interest from Liverpool, City, and Bayern revealing demands of a €150m (£126m) fee, it is unlikely that Sir Jim Ratcliffe would approve a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s player given the financial constraints at Old Trafford, which compound the need for signings across many positions.
Cherki, who might be more than £100 million less expensive than the German star, would contribute the same flair and energy. Amorim may bring him to the forefront and mold him into such a player in the upcoming years, even though he might not be as sophisticated or powerful.
Cherki might be a “future Ballon d’Or winner,” according to Alex Barker of The Athletic. If he can steady the ship at the Theatre of Dreams, he will have come one step closer to realizing that ambitious ambition.
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