Manchester United’s goalscoring woes have shown no signs of improving this season, despite investing over £200m on the attack this summer. INEOS signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko to upgrade the frontline following a disappointing end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Ruben Amorim’s men finished the campaign on 15th place in the Premier League table, with a negative goal difference. The Red Devils had found the back of the net just 44 times in 38 games in the league, a new low in the club’s history.
They also failed to score in the Europa League final, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. Interestingly, things have hardly been better for United this season, as they are languishing in 14th place in the table after six games.
The Red Devils have won just two of their games in the league, losing three others, and also have a negative goal difference. They have scored just seven goals in the Premier League so far, two of which were own goals.
Goalscoring remains a problem for United
Amorim signed Sesko as an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund this summer, with the Dane moving on loan to Atalanta. The Slovenian has looked lively so far, and scored his first goal for United in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford over the weekend.
The Red Devils also have Joshua Zirkzee in their roster, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations at the Theatre of Dreams. The Dutchman arrived at the club with a big reputation in the summer of 2024 following a breakthrough season with Bologna.
However, Zirkzee managed just seven goals from 49 games across competitions last season, and missed the final weeks of the campaign with an injury. United are looking to add more firepower to their squad in 2026, and recent reports have suggested that they have set their sights on Juventus hitman Dusan Vlahovic.
Interestingly, the Serbian is out of contract next summer, which makes him a lucrative option for the Red Devils, either in January or next summer. Vlahovic has registered four goals from six games this season for the Bianconeri, including two goals against Borussia Dortmund in the 4-4 draw in the Champions League.
Chelsea are also eyeing the 25 year old with interest, and it now appears that Bayern Munich have now entered the race as well.
A replacement for Harry Kane
Speaking to CFBayern, Bundesliga insider Christian Falk has said that the Bavarians are long-term admirers of Vlahovic. He said: “FC Bayern had already held talks with Vlahovic’s management while he was still playing in Florence.”
“At that time, the club were looking for a successor to Robert Lewandowski, who had moved to FC Barcelona. Bayern opted for a new system and they signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool instead, which was a transfer mistake.
“The German giants rectified the mistake by signing Harry Kane. Vlahovic would fit perfectly into FC Bayern’s system and continue the tradition of the true number 9 at Bayern, and therefore, his name has been discussed at Bayern.
“The club is once again gathering information, as he could be an interesting signing for the club since he would be a free agent next summer. He could be the successor of Kane if he ever wants to leave. Also, Vlahovic can forge a good partnership with Kane upfront, and the two can play together.”
Interestingly, recent reports have suggested that United are among the clubs who are interested in Harry Kane in 2026.
Feature image Alessandro Sabattini via Getty Images
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
