Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters will have renewed optimism now that their lowly side can beat the Premier League drop with Vitor Pereira picking up some standout results since taking on the reins.

Indeed, the Portuguese manager has inspired his relegation-threatened troops to pick up some big victories against the likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa since replacing Gary O’Neil, with the Old Gold now up to 17th after looking doomed to be heading for the Championship under the previous regime.

Whilst Pereira will be happy with the fight on display for the most part, he will perhaps want a little more from the attackers at his disposal, away from Matheus Cunha continuing to dominate the spotlight.

The numbers behind Wolves' attack this season

The ex-Al Shabab boss has had to deal with some bad luck in the striker department when it comes to unfortunate injuries, with one of his stars up top – alongside Cunha – in Jorgen Strand Larsen now sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Before this unwanted development, the Nordic sharpshooter was up to a sizeable seven goals in the Premier League for the season, with Cunha only boasting more top-flight strikes in the Old Gold camp at 11.

With Larsen now out, it has exposed the lack of attacking quality in the striker positions, with Hwang Hee-Chan way off the boil so far this campaign.

From 21 appearances across 2024/25 to date, the out-of-sorts South Korean only has two strikes next to his name, which is a disappointing return so far considering he managed to bag 12 top-flight strikes during a far more successful 2023/24 campaign.

Whilst Pereira laments his striker options, there is a former Old Gold hero who is currently outscoring both Hwang and Larsen at his current employers.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

The former Wolves striker who is now outscoring Larsen & Hwang

Wolves have had their fair share of modern-day legends in recent years as the club rose from the doldrums of EFL obscurity to Premier League glory.

One of those faces that is definitely well-liked to this day is Raul Jimenez, with the Mexican a long-standing servant of the club over many seasons before his departure in 2023.

Across five celebrated campaigns in the West Midlands, Jimenez would help himself to a hefty 57 goals and 22 assists, with the now 33-year-old even having to battle back from a serious injury during his goal-laden spell at Molineux to continue to prove his worth.

Whilst he is now firmly in the twilight years of his career, the goals haven’t dried up for the Mexican donning his new Fulham colours, with Jimenez bettering both Larsen and Hwang this season in terms of output.

24/25

24

9

2

23/24

24

7

0

22/23

15

0

1

21/22

34

6

4

20/21

10

4

0

19/20

38

17

6

18/19

38

13

7

Amazingly, Jimenez is close to eclipsing his Premier League best at Molineux strutting his stuff now at Craven Cottage, with the veteran attacker boasting 11 goal contributions this season in the top-flight to beat Larsen and Hwang’s weaker numbers consequently.

Marco Silva would even describe Jimenez as “incredible” this season when he became Mexico’s highest-ever goalscorer in the elite division, with the ex-Everton boss thankful that Wolves decided to offload the towering 6 foot 3 striker when they did. On the flip side, the Old Gold must regret letting him go.

In an alternate reality, Pereira wouldn’t turn his nose up at having Jimenez in his Old Gold camp, but the popular Wolves boss will just hope the goals keep flowing in big games to come near the foot of the division away from looking back at past attackers.

Pereira can unearth the next Gibbs-White in teen Wolves gem

Wolves can unearth their next Morgan Gibbs-White with this academy starlet.

ByRoss Kilvington Feb 8, 2025

Cheteshwar Pujara will return to Sussex in 2023 after making a significant impact during his first season with the club this year.”I am glad to be back with Sussex for the 2023 season,” Pujara said in a statement released by the club. “I thoroughly enjoyed my last stint with the club last season, both on and off the field and I’m looking forward to contributing to the team’s growth and success in the coming year.”Pujara made Sussex his fourth county after previous spells with Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, and made eight hundreds – including three doubles – for them across formats. He was their leading run-scorer in Division Two of the County Championship, with an aggregate of 1094 at 109.4 across 13 innings, and was the second-highest scorer across the 50-over Royal London Cup, making three hundreds as Sussex reached the semi-finals. He also deputised as captain.Sussex did not specify in their statement which formats Pujara would play, or for how long, but his availability will be dictated by his involvement in India’s Test squad and, possibly, the IPL. The club later clarified that they expect him to play Championship and 50-over cricket for them and added that he is due to arrive in time for the start of the season.Pujara remains an important part of India’s Test plans, top-scoring with 66 in their most recent game in the format against England in July. Their Test schedule is relatively sparse in 2023, but they are due to play a two-match series away against West Indies in July-August.He has not played an IPL game since 2014 but was part of Chennai Super Kings’ squad in 2021, and would miss the first two months of the county season if picked up in December’s auction.Keith Greenfield, Sussex’s performance director, said, “It is fantastic news that Cheteshwar will be returning in 2023. We all saw the class he showed with the bat and his performances, but he was also outstanding in our young dressing room as a world-class role model for them to follow.”Sussex are in the process of recruiting a new coach after Ian Salisbury left at the end of the 2022 season. James Kirtley acted as T20 coach throughout Salisbury’s tenure, but the club will return to a single head coach from 2023.

More misery at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United defeated by Brighton & Hove Albion to erase the feel-good factor that was nurtured at Anfield one week ago.

The cyclical nature of United’s form is deeply concerning, with the capacity for dazzling, front-footed performances clearly within this Red Devils mix but produced inconsistently.

Bruno Fernandes cut a dejected figure as he made his way down the tunnel, Seagulls elated around him. His revealed fear might just be coming true. Liverpool was a flash in the pan. United have relapsed back into old ways.

It’s clear that Amorim has the tactical mind to achieve great things but some of the players at his disposal simply won’t do in the long run. Man United need new signings, and they need to get it right.

Who Man United want to sell

Marcus Rashford looks nailed-on for a departure from his boyhood club this month, perhaps on loan but likely with a view toward a permanent future elsewhere.

Antony is also closing in on a winter move to Real Betis, freeing up some room on the wide flanks for investment. United’s issues have been mitigated by Amad Diallo’s growth, but the 22-year-old can’t be expected to carry the weight of Old Trafford on his back, and support is needed.

Perhaps this winger will do the trick…

Man United chasing exciting winger signing

According to Sky Germany, Manchester United have a concrete interest in signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who has been tearing it up in the Bundesliga this term.

Dortmund have previously stated that they would be seeking a jaw-dropping €100m (£85m) payday for the 20-year-old’s exit, but it’s since been revealed that the tenth-place side will cede their bargaining power if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

With Antony and Rashford on the way out, this would be a fantastic deal for Amorim’s team, providing United with the fresh quality to spearhead a new era.

However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Premier League rivals such as Chelsea and Liverpool are gearing up to make their moves, so it’s crucial that INEOS act swiftly.

Why Jamie Gittens would be perfect for Man United

Gittens’ emergence has come at a breakneck pace, with the young talent having impressed last term under Edin Terzic, notably racking up eight assists across all competitions as he settled into the senior stage over the final months of the campaign.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

He’s young and malleable enough that Amorim can will him into his own design, and while the left-sided forward feels like the natural Rashford heir, it’s Alejandro Garnacho who he could prove to surpass.

Chelsea and Napoli have been interested in Garnacho this month, but it seems unlikely that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will green-light the Argentine’s sale, given the mini-exodus already taking place.

The 20-year-old practically oozes with quality, so dynamic and daring when on his a-game. However, Man United could find themselves enjoying the talent of an even better winger in Gittens, for the Englishman boasts an exemplary scoring record and could assume the talismanic role at the Theatre.

Garnacho has scored eight goals and added five assists across 32 matches this term but he has only bagged three times in the Premier League, with MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst noting that the winger “hasn’t distinguished himself” in recent appearances under Amorim after being ostracised from the first-team squad over the festive period.

As per FBref, Gittens ranks among the top 7% of positional peers in the Bundesliga this term for non-penalty goals scored as well as the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, illustrating the type of electric, goalscoring winger that Amorim would get his mitts on.

Garnacho, by way of comparison, ranks in the top 51% for non-penalty goals, the top 8% for progressive carries and among the worst 32% for successful take-ons in the Premier League, underlining that the English talent is, in fact, more efficient.

Most exciting, perhaps, is Gittens’ ability to hit the mark across multiple competitions, having also been in fine fettle for the Yellow Wall throughout their Champions League campaign, with Dortmund currently ninth, one point off the automatics.

One of the most eye-catching aspects of Gittens’ skill set has got to be his clinical edge, having missed four big chances across Dortmund’s two major competitions this season while having scored 11 times – an excellent strike rate.

In fact, the wide forward has even been hailed as “England’s best left winger in 2024/25” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchlety, suggesting that Three Lions gaffer Thomas Tuchel will have a close eye on the rising star, who might just find himself in some exciting conversations across 2025.

It’s just more fuel for the transfer fire as far as United are concerned, but there’s no question that if Gittens was successful in translating his German and European form to English shores, he could unlock United’s attacking capacity under Amorim’s wing.

Ultimately, Amorim entered a disaster zone at Old Trafford and has struggled, so far, to establish the kind of enduring synergy that has been missing for ever so long.

Some might say that United have regressed since the Portuguese took to the helm, but he simply needs more time to stamp his authority onto one of the world’s biggest footballing institutions.

Will he be the one to lead Man United back to the limelight? He’ll need signings, and with Gittens on the market and attracting intrigue from some of the country’s biggest hitters, United need to ensure that they are the team to welcome him back to his homeland.

As bad as Onana: Amorim must drop 3/10 Man Utd who won just 14% duels

Manchester United suffered another harmful defeat in the Premier League at the hands of Brighton and Hove Albion.

6

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 19, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Leão, Leão Azul, Leão da Ressacada… muitas são as alcunhas relacionadas a figura leonina que auxiliam em uma identificação mais carinhosa ao Avaí. E, aproveitando esse gancho, a fornecedora de material esportivo Umbro teve sua inspiração no lançamento do novo uniforme principal.

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>Álbum do Brasileirão 2022: confira o antes e depois dos veteranos

Isso porque, na parte interna das faixas verticais em azul no modelo tradicional do clube catarinense, figuras geométricas que fazem alusão a leões foram inseridas em fortalecimento da identificação entre o clube Azzurra e o chamado “Rei da Floresta”.

O surgimento dessa relação se deu ainda na década de 1950quando o histórico narrador Olímpio Sebastião Silva comparou a força e a bravura da equipe as de um leão, dando origem ao apelido e ao mascote do clube até os dias de hoje.

Outro elemento estético que faz referência direta ao animal imponente é um patch na parte inferior da camiseta onde, além da imagem de um leão, constam os seguintes dizeres:

– O mascote do Avaí surgiu na década de 50. O clube sempre foi um time forte, com a bravura de um leão.

A previsão de lançamento oficial do uniforme que estará a venda em lojas físicas e virtuais tanto da Umbro como do Avaí será no próximo sábado (4) com a equipe dirigida por Eduardo Barroca inaugurando a nova indumentária frente ao São Paulo, na cidade de Florianópolis.

Everton fans spilt out of Goodison Park last weekend with a new sense of optimism.

The Toffees ground has too long been a bowl of murmurous disapproval, resignation as colourless attacking play fails to ignite cheer. David Moyes’ side showcased a new-found attacking element as Tottenham Hotspur were brushed aside.

However, Everton mustn’t get ahead of themselves, mustn’t forget their principles. Moyes is not a free-flowing attack-heavy manager. He’s pragmatic and drilled, though perhaps more tactically in tune than his predecessor.

A new striker is needed, as is a right winger. However, Everton could also address a couple of holes across the back, with a new full-back on The Friedkin Group’s radar.

Everton transfer news

As per Calcio Mercato, Everton are interested in signing AC Milan right-back Emerson Royal, only months after he joined the Serie A side from Tottenham, and are in talks with his agent to discuss a possible deal.

Emerson has been a regular starter for his new side but they are willing to part ways for a £13m fee this month to make room for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, who is signing on loan with the option to buy at the end of the term.

The Brazil international won the Italian Super Cup earlier this month but has been something of a mixed bag this season, and could return to English football on the cheap, although Galatasaray also have a vested interest.

Why Everton want Emerson Royal

Moyes knows his way around managing a defence and could raise Emerson’s defensive game, adding an athletic and powerful dimension to Everton’s backline.

Emerson ebbed and flowed down N17 but was hailed for his “relentless” running by one-time Arsenal star Kevin Campbell, illustrated by his energy and tenacity on the pitch.

With Nathan Patterson suffering interminable injury problems, the 39-year-old Ashley Young has played a regular starting role in Everton’s squad this season, actually starting 17 Premier League fixtures.

The veteran invariably puts in a shift and has averaged 2.5 tackles per game, winning 56% of his duels and racking up three assists. He’s far from a liability, though admittedly he suffers somewhat from an understandable loss of athleticism and power, and this could see Emerson step into his shoes perfectly.

He’d also aid Everton in their bid to establish greater control in matches with a crisp ball-playing ability, ranking among the top 7% of full-backs for pass completion as well as the top 6% for tackles and the top 13% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.

Matches (starts)

17 (16)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Clean sheets

5

Pass completion

90%

Key passes*

0.9

Ball recoveries*

3.5

Dribble (success)*

0.4 (44%)

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

Clearances*

3.0

Total duels (won)*

6.4 (56%)

Errors

0

Young is out of contract at the end of the season but there’s every chance that his performances and leadership could warrant another year in the mix.

Signing Emerson would only help the experienced star in that regard, adding a new dimension and ensuring that Moyes has the tools to forge a successful path.

Moyes' next Arteta: Everton plotting move for exciting £15m talent

Everton are looking to strengthen David Moyes’ squad this winter.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 23, 2025

Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to ignore "superstar names" and "identify a core group of players" amid links to Wolves' Matheus Cunha.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Man Utd looking towards a busy summer
• Major squad overhaul on the cards
• Rooney advised United to stay away from superstars

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rooney has encouraged his former club to move away from their historical focus on marquee signings and instead concentrate on building a stable squad around a committed core of players. Reports suggest United are in pole position to land the Brazilian forward, whose release clause is set at £62.5 million. While several other European clubs are tracking Cunha’s situation, the 25-year-old is reportedly keen on making Old Trafford his next home.

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• GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This campaign has been the most productive of Cunha’s career so far. He has scored 16 goals in all competitions, with 14 of those coming in the Premier League – a remarkable feat considering Wolves' overall inconsistency this season. Ruben Amorim typically deploys two attacking midfielders behind the central striker – a setup in which Cunha could excel, particularly in one of the advanced No. 10 positions.

• WHAT ROONEY SAID

  Speaking on Rooney said: "I think there are a lot of players who are good enough for Manchester United. I think he's (Cunha) a top player, and since a lot of players have gone now with ability and reputation and have struggled over the last few years, so, I think it's difficult. United needs to really identify a core group of players who can help sustain the club over the next two or three years. Instead of going for names which they've done in the past with (Romelu) Lukaku, (Paul) Pogba, Zlatan (Ibrahimovic). Going for superstars and names, which I don't think Cunha is at that level at the minute."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rooney also pointed out that financial restrictions may play a part in United's summer plans. With Financial Fair Play regulations tightening, especially for clubs with inconsistent revenue streams due to Champions League absences, the margin for error is slim.

  "Financial fair play might hit them as well, so the recruitment has to be miles better," he said. "Identify a group of players, a bit of what Liverpool have done over the last few years, and gradually get United back where they were."

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo após o 4 a 0 contra o Santos, Cássio pregou ‘pés no chão’ para o jogo de volta nas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. O goleiro viu um grande jogo da Corinthians, que venceu o seu primeiro clássico na temporada, mas disse que a vaga ainda não está definida.

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+ GALERIA – Relembre 10 momentos marcantes de Jô no Timão

– Fizemos um grande jogo, seguro, de um time organizado. Mesmo com desfalques, conseguimos dar uma resposta boa, fazer um grande jogo, ganhar um clássico em casa. Feliz pelo resultado, pela partida e empenho da equipe. Mas não está nada resolvido. É uma vitória, foi 4 a 0, mas temos total respeito pelo Santos. Feliz pelo resultado – disse o goleiro na zona mista da Neo Química Arena.

Para o camisa 12, não há distinção entre os ‘miúdos’ e os mais experientes, e sim um grupo unido. Ele fez questão de exaltar o profissionalismo de Du Queiroz.

– Não vejo jogadores mais novos e mais velhos, vejo jogadores do Corinthians. Não faço essa avaliação. Fico feliz porque tem muitos meninos que subiram a dois, três anos, e hoje estão conseguindo dar uma resposta. Para mim, o Du Queiroz é uma referência, trabalha dedicado, menino bom, tem colhido os frutos. Nós, como mais experientes, temos que ajudar eles, mas o mérito é deles – ponderou o arqueiro.

+ TABELA – Confira e simule os jogos do Corinthians na Copa do Brasil

Cássio falou sobre a importância de quebrar o jejum dos clássicos no ano, especialmente para a torcida.

– Sabíamos que tínhamos que fazer uma grande partida. Havia uma cobrança, mas em certos momentos temos experiência para focar em busca da vitória. Ganhar um clássico, para a torcida, tem uma representatividade grande. A gente vinha de resultados negativos em clássicos. Saímos felizes. Hoje ficar feliz e amanhã focar para sábado – comentou o atleta.

Por fim, na visão do goleiro, o nível de confiança da equipe não aumenta após a goleada. Para ele, o Timão vem mostrando bons resultados ao torcedor.

– É difícil falar sobre não ter confiança uma equipe que está entre os primeiros no Brasileiro. Cada um tem a sua opinião, respeito, mas como é possível uma equipe entre os primeiros, estamos no meio da temporada, não ter mostrado algo de bom. Fizemos hoje a melhor partida, todo mundo sai feliz. Agora é focar no jogo de sábado – concluiu.

O Corinthians se reapresenta na tarde de quinta-feira (23), no CT Joaquim Grava, onde inicia nova preparação para encarar o Santos, só que pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão, novamente na Neo Química Arena.

Ipswich Town could buckle under the strain of the battle to stay up in the Premier League over the course of the next few contests, with two tough clashes against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United coming the way of the Tractor Boys in quick succession.

However, both reverse fixtures did see Kieran McKenna’s men impressively pick up a stunning away victory at Spurs, whilst also collecting a deserved point during Ruben Amorim’s first clash in the Red Devils dug-out.

Off the back of a battling draw with Aston Villa too, McKenna’s men won’t go into either encounter riddled with fear, especially if Liam Delap is on top form attempting to cause both inconsistent teams trouble.

Delap's red-hot form for Ipswich

It goes without saying now that the £20m capture of Delap last summer was a masterstroke of a buy on the newly promoted side’s end, with the ex-Manchester City wonderkid turning into a deadly Premier League centre-forward in Suffolk.

Indeed, as a result of his opener against Unai Emery’s shellshocked Villa, Delap is now up to ten goals for the season in the league, with Sammie Szmodics way behind his bumper total with four as Ipswich’s second top scorer.

McKenna will be hoping Delap’s continued excellence in front of goal gives his underdogs a fighting chance at survival, because if Ipswich do go down, there will be a whole host of higher-up suitors wanting to win the exceptional 22-year-old’s services.

But, whilst his bumper goal total is an obvious joy to behold for the Portman Road masses, there is one former Tractor Boys attacker who is actually bettering the 6 foot 1 forward’s electric goalscoring form now all the way down in League Two.

The unexpected star who's outscoring Delap

This ex-Ipswich man did have the unfortunate reality of being in a side that was languishing all the way down in League One, instead of one punching above its weight in the top flight.

Still, Armando Dobra’s lacklustre output of two goals and four assists from 30 largely forgettable appearances would see the Albanian attacker be moved onto Chesterfield in 2022 on a free transfer, with McKenna the cutthroat manager to finally wave him on his way.

Burton Albion 2-1 Ipswich, 14th of August 2021

1. GK -Vaclav Hladky

2. RB – Kane Vincent-Young

3. CB – Janoi Donacien

4. CB – Luke Woolfenden

5. LB – Matt Penney

6. RM – Armando Dobra

7. CM – Rekeem Harper

8. CM – Lee Evans

9. LM – Scott Fraser

10. AM – Louie Barry

11. ST – Joe Pigott

Whilst Vaclav Hladky and Luke Woolfenden would go on to be key parts of the jigsaw under McKenna – who both lined up alongside Dobra during his final ever Tractor Boys start – the 23-year-old had to go and repair his career with the Spireites and he has done just that based off his superb showings in League Two this campaign.

Where Are They Now

In all competitions, the one-time Ipswich reject is amazingly trumping Delap’s weighty ten goals with 11 of his own, alongside also boasting two assists as a constantly creative option for Paul Cook’s lower league side.

As assistant manager Danny Webb has stated, amid January interest in the forward, he is “a massive player” for the lower league outfit.

It’s not as if Dobra has suddenly sparked into life for Chesterfield either and become this rejuvenated presence, having now collected a bumper 32 goals and 15 assists from 116 clashes donning a more comfortable shade of blue.

Cook and Co even have an outside shot of the League Two playoffs in their sights, whilst Dobra’s former club have one simple survival aim etched into their brains all the way up in the Premier League.

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Nida Dar’s fifty in vain as Ireland secure just their third win over Pakistan in 16 T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Nov-2022

An all-round show from Orla Prendergast backed up by a measured half-century from Gaby Lewis helped Ireland get past Pakistan by six wickets in the first T20I in Lahore.The hosts, choosing to bat, started their innings on the wrong foot as Prendergast cut a swathe through the Pakistan top order, striking three times in the first seven overs. Muneeba Ali fell off the third ball of the innings, caught behind for a duck, while captain Bismah Maroof departed for 17. Javeria Khan fell just after the powerplay, for a labourious 4 off 16 balls.It needed the experience of Nida Dar, who struck a 43-ball 61, to dig Pakistan out of their hole. She got good support from Aliya Riaz with the duo adding 57 runs for the fifth wicket. Riaz and Ayesha Naseem then provided the finish, helping Pakistan post 135 for 5.Ireland’s chase too did not have the best of starts with Dar doing the damage with the ball too to send back Amy Hunter in the second over but Lewis kept the visitors chugging along. The opener struck an unbeaten 69 off 54 balls to steer her side home.She added 55 for the second wicket with Prendergast, who made 39 off just 25 balls, and then 44 runs for the fourth wicket with Eimear Richardson. Ireland lost a couple of quick wickets in the middle phase, but Lewis held her end up all through. She ensured the required rate never got out of hand and found the boundary at regular intervals.Lewis hit the winning runs in the 19th over, as Ireland finished the job with eight balls to spare. Prendergast was named Player of the Match for her all-round efforts. This was just the third win for Ireland over Pakistan in T20Is, in 16 attempts.

Perhaps the best January signing Manchester United have ever made was a deal to bring Bruno Fernandes to Old Trafford. He signed from Sporting CP for upwards of £67.7m including add-ons, the fifth most expensive January deal of all time.

Fernandes’ impact on the club has been unfathomable. He is the United captain and has played 268 times for the club. In that time, he has scored 88 goals and registered 77 assists, a remarkable record.

Perhaps United’s most recent reported January target can have the same impact as their Portuguese Magnifico.

Man Utd's search for a striker

The player in question here is Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic. According to a report from Graeme Bailey, the Red Devils are thought to have enquired about his current ‘situation at Juventus’, and could pursue a late move.

They will face competition from some big Premier League rivals. North Londoners Arsenal and top four contenders Aston Villa have also asked Juve about the striker’s situation. Given it seems unlikely he will sign a new deal, there is a chance they could bring him in.

Why Vlahovic would be a good signing

Despite a lack of opportunities under Juventus manager Thiago Motta, Vlahoivc has still been in impressive form during the 2024/25 campaign. He has played 28 games so far this term and has 13 goals and two assists in that time.

Perhaps the striker’s most significant contribution this campaign came against Manchester City in the Champions League. He scored one goal in Juve’s 2-0 win over the Premier League champions. It is certainly a strike that will resonate with the Red Devils fans.

Should United get a deal for the Serbian “monster” – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – over the line, he could be a perfect alternative signing to Bayern Munich attacker Mathys Tel. The Frenchman seems unlikely to make the move to Old Trafford, according to Jamie Jackson.

Now, there is no doubt that Vlahovic and Tel are slightly different players. The Juve man is an out-and-out centre-forward, whereas Tel is more versatile and can play up front or out on the wing.

However, United need goals at the minute, so it is surely not much of an issue for the Red Devils. In fact, to get an idea of how good of an alternative Tel would be to Vlahovic, you can compare them statistically on FBref.

Using data from the past two domestic top-flight seasons in Italy and Germany respectively, Vlahovic’s natural striker instinct shines through, as shown by his expected goals tally of 0.65xG compared to just 0.31xG for Tel.

Furthermore, the Serbian international is someone who can bring teammates into the game and actually averages 0.93 key passes per 90 minutes over the past two seasons. That is slightly more than Tel, who plays 0.9 key passes per game.

Signing Vlahoivc could be the perfect alternative move to Tel. The Frenchman seems unattainable for United now, but the chance to sign Vlahovic, a “deadly” striker as Mattinson described him, might be too good to be true.

This could be United’s dream signing, and perhaps end up being their best January addition since Fernandes five years ago.

The next Martial: INEOS continue Man Utd talks for "very special" signing

Man United need to add some attacking depth

By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 3, 2025