Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada wanted to sign £47.5m attacker for Manchester United last summer, deal collapsed

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United have struggled in the final third this season after one attacking signing was blocked late in the summer window.

Manchester United fans are used to seeing plenty of goals flying in at Old Trafford.

Whether it’s individual goal machines or as a team, United fans have been treated to goals galore over the years.

This season has been testing though with United managing just 34 goals in 28 Premier League games.

Rasmus Hojlund has been backed by Christian Eriksen but he has now hit 20 games without a goal across all competitions.

That just isn’t good enough and with both Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho struggling for goals too, attacking signings are needed this summer.

• READ MORE: Man Utd have enquired for ‘one of the greatest’ talents in Argentina, teammates with Juan Gimenez

Manchester United really wanted Raheem Sterling

United’s recruitment this summer is likely to focus on both strikers and attacking midfielders for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 setup.

United seemingly knew that more attacking additions were needed last summer – even before Marcus Rashford and Antony were moved on.

Raheem Sterling was wanted by United as Chelsea made the former England international available ahead of the deadline.

After he instead joined Arsenal on loan, reports suggested that United had questions about Sterling’s ‘physical age’ given how many games he has been playing in the Premier League for more than a decade.

The Daily Mail have a different version of accounts though as they claim that it was only the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules which put paid to Sterling’s move.

It’s suggested that Sterling was preparing to join United on loan after receiving major backing from three key decision makers.

Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth all wanted to sign Sterling having worked with him either with England or Manchester City.

The money just wasn’t there for a deal though and Sterling’s move collapsed, paving the way for him to join Arsenal instead.

Raheem Sterling has flopped at Arsenal

United may have been attracted to Sterling’s versatility to play in different roles but it’s difficult to suggest that this was a big transfer miss.

The 30-year-old has managed just four Premier League starts and eight appearances off the bench.

Sterling hasn’t had much more luck in other competitions, starting five games and coming off the bench five times across the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League.

That playing time has amounted to just one goal and two assists with Sterling flopping under Mikel Arteta.

Sterling wasn’t even brought on against United as Arsenal chased a late winner at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea paid £47.5million for Sterling in 2022, as noted by Sky Sports, but Arsenal haven’t been able to get him back to that level.

This move really hasn’t worked out for Sterling and United’s interest surely won’t return this summer despite Amorim’s need for attacking additions.