Why Richarlison can offer Manchester United more sharpness in attack

According to Evening Standard (h/t Daily Mirror), Premier League side Manchester United have kept their sights on Everton forward Richarlison.

The Red Devils, who struggled for goals earlier in the season, are on the lookout for a striker with the January transfer window around the corner.

Though United forwards Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have upped their performances in recent weeks, they are still in need of an attacker who can score goals on a regular basis.

In this regard, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now targeting a move for Richarlison, who plies his trade with their league rivals, Everton. Meanwhile, the Brazilian is a smart customer who can play anywhere in the attack, having started his career as a left-winger.

Now mostly deployed in the striker’s role due to his excellent poaching and finishing abilities, Richarlison has grown into one of the key players for the Toffees ever since he moved to Goodison Park from Watford in the summer of 2018.

The Brazilian is his side’s leading top-scorer in the league this season alongside teammate and strike partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with 6 goals to his credit.

He had an excellent debut season with the Toffees last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 2 assists from 35 games which saw them finish eighth in the league standings.

Out of his 61 appearances for the Toffees, the 22-year-old has hit the target 22 times and has provided 5 assists, proving his credentials as a goal-scoring attacker.

However, Everton have had a difficult season in the league, with the rest of the attackers in the side failing to find the back of the net. They have scored just 21 goals this season, 8 less than what they have conceded, pushing them down to mid-table and just four points clear of the relegation zone.

Since making his debut in September last year for his national side, the youngster has gone on to play a total of 19 matches for the Selecao. He has scored 6 goals and assisted 4 times in the process.

He was also a key member of the Brazil squad that recently won the Copa America this year, defeating Argentina in the final. Though he was a regular in the initial games, an injury during the tournament restricted him to the sidelines, which saw him play just 3 matches for them.

Despite playing only 3 games, he was on target against Argentina in the final when deployed as a forward by Brazil coach Tite.

A reliable finisher blessed with good goalscoring ability, Richarlison could be a good fit for a Manchester United side that has missed a clinical finisher since Romelu Lukaku’s departure.

Also, with Greenwood just turning 18 and Martial not performing consistently, it would do a world of good for the Red Devils to have a versatile attacker in their squad.

Read more:

• Why Manchester United have missed a trick by not signing Mandzukic
• Why Miranchuk could offer Manchester United more creativity in the attack
• Why Florenzi to Manchester United would be a clearly unnecessary move

Verdict

In Richarlison, Manchester United would have an established finisher capable of fitting anywhere across the frontline. Moreover, at just 22, Richarlison has proven his talent in whichever team he has played so far, earning the tag of a consistent performer.

Hence, by all means, Richarlison could solve United’s issues up front and would prove to be a really beneficial signing.