Manchester United linked striker Gabigol enduring worst spell in five years

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Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Brazilian striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa.

The Mirror relayed a surprise report that Manchester United are considering a swap deal involving Antony and Flamengo striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa.

However, this potential swap has been dismissed. Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola told his YouTube channel he has major doubts.

He said: “If I were a Flamengo fan, I wouldn’t buy into this story. I wouldn’t bet my money on it. It doesn’t seem to make sense, even if Manchester United do need a striker to score goals.”

So could Manchester United sign Gabriel Barbosa outright? It’s certainly possible a deal could be done at the right price.

Flamengo were the club who could not afford to pay the £8 million to sign Andreas Pereira, so Manchester United could certainly tempt them into a sale, forget the Antony aspect to it.

Gabriel Barbosa scoring record

According to Vamo Flamengo, Gabriel Barbosa’s contract expires at the end of 2024. He also shares the same agent as Antony.

Barbosa has scored a very creditable record of 139 goals in 246 games. But the trajectory is pointing downwards. This is his worst goal return in five years.

• 2023 – 0.36 goals per match (20 goals in 55 games)
• 2022 – 0.46 goals per match (29 goals in 63 games)
• 2021 – 0.75 goals per match (34 goals in 45 games)
• 2020 – 0.63 goals per match (27 goals in 43 games)
• 2019 – 0.73 goals per match (43 goals in 59 games)

The striker is currently 10 games without a goal and so the arrow on his form is currently trending downwards.

20 goals in a year, sign me up!

All of this has to be viewed in context. If a striker is capable of scoring 20 goals in a year at his worst, well, that’s not bad.

Manchester United’s current number nine is Anthony Martial. This calendar year he has scored a woeful tally of three goals.

Marcus Rashford scored 30 across the 2022/23 season in total, and in 2023/24, he has netted only once so far. The highs are high and the lows are low.

Gabriel’s low is still a high return for what Manchester United are used to. This team needs goalscoring forwards, having netted only 12 goals in 11 Premier League games.

Star striker Rasmus Hojlund has not found the net yet in the Premier League has has three goals total and the 20-year-old is being used as a main forward when he should be coming off the bench.

A report in The Mail linked Manchester United with signing a striker, naming Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney as targets, who would cost around £100 million. It is money the club does not have.

Barbosa would cost a fraction of the price, due to his expiring contract. He is unproven in European football, so a total gamble, and his form is a worry. But a change of scene might be what’s required. Take the swap aspect out of it, and there may be something here.