Why Arkadiusz Milik to Manchester United would be a top-class move
According to The Sun, Manchester United are considering a move for Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik to strengthen their attacking options.
Milik, 25, who bagged a staggering 47 goals and 21 assists in 75 appearances for Ajax across all competitions, was rarely used at Napoli in his first couple of years due to the presence of talisman Gonzalo Higuain.
However, after the exit of Higuain, the Pole has progressed from strength to strength in the past one and a half years ever since he started leading Napoli’s attack.
He scored 20 goals and provided 4 assists in 47 games in all competitions for the Italian side last season and also started the new season right on top of his form before a muscle injury took a toll on him.
Despite injury concerns, the Polish international has contributed with 10 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions so far.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have faced shortcomings up front despite staying in the top-6. Their inexperience was exposed in the 3-1 Carabao Cup tie loss to Manchester City on Tuesday as they failed to match their rivals in terms of scoring.
They have scored only 36 goals in 22 league games so far, which is the lowest among the top five Premier League clubs. Out of that, Marcus Rashford alone has scored 14 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs someone to support and compete with the Englishman.
However, with fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City yet to come within this month, the Red Devils still have a lot of work to do to find the right striking option to partner Rashford, someone who can chip in with the much-needed extra goals.
To that end, United will need to sign an established target man so that they can improve their goalscoring record and fight for a place in the top-four. Thus, roping in Arkadiusz Milik could just help them in achieving their target by the end of the season.
The Old Trafford outfit have failed to bring in an ideal replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who left for Inter Milan. And Alexis Sanchez’s loan move has also left them with just a few options up front.
As a result of that, Solskjaer had to bring in Mason Greenwood from the academy and though he is too young to lead the line, the teenager has done brilliantly whenever called upon. He is still a work in progress and United cannot rely on him to deliver the goals every single time.
Arkadiusz Milik, on the other hand, has established himself as one of the best forwards over the past few seasons, while racking up 44 goals and 5 assists in 99 appearances for the Naples -based club.
With an excellent left foot and the instinct of a poacher, the 25-year-old has everything in his tank to succeed in Europe, and the Premier League could definitely help him in the process. His experience at the international level is a testament to his qualities and he still has his best years ahead of him.
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Verdict
With Milik’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2021, this transfer window would be the right time for United to make an attempt to sign him. The Poland international might just prove to be the cutting-edge United lack in their attacking system.