Manchester United continue to be linked with strikers and mixed rumours are emerging over a move for Sevilla hitman Youssef En-Nesyri.
United splashed the cash on Rasmus Hojlund over the summer but he is yet to score a single Premier League goal.
Nobody is giving up on the Dane just yet; we know he has talent and potential, but the service into him has been truly woeful.
Hojlund certainly needs more support up top though, especially having been forced to play against West Ham United despite suffering an illness.
Anthony Martial just can’t be relied upon for goals and United are expected to add another striker in 2024.
Youssef En-Nesyri linked with Manchester United
The latest name in the mix is Youssef En-Nesyri, but conflicting reports are emerging about a potential move.
The Sun report that United are interested in signing Sevilla hitman En-Nesyri ahead of the January window.
Erik ten Hag has allegedly sent scouts to watch the Moroccan with a £16million fee allegedly on his head.
Fabrizio Romano has poured some cold water on the speculation though, telling Caught Offside that he has heard nothing about any United interest in En-Nesyri.
Romano reiterates that United have been interested in Donyell Malen, Serhou Guirassy and Timo Werner, but the mention of En-Nesyri is a new one to Romano.
Youssef En-Nesyri player profile
- Age: 26
- Date of birth: 01/06/1997
- Position: Striker
- Club: Sevilla
- Former clubs: Malaga, Leganes
- Nationality: Moroccan
Youssef En-Nesyri, the story so far
En-Nesyri hails from Morocco and started in the ranks of Maghreb de Get and the Mohammed VI Football Academy before heading to Spain with Atletico Malagueno.
A 6ft 2in striker, En-Nesyri ended up joining Malaga, scoring just five goals in 41 games.
Leganes took a chance on En-Nesyri in 2018 and he started to thrive, hitting 15 goals in 53 appearances to land himself a move to Sevilla.
It’s far to say that En-Nesyri has blown hot and cold since that move.
Two seasons have seen En-Nesyri hit 24 and 18 goals respectively. In his other two full seasons, En-Nesyri has scored just six and five.
En-Nesyri has fired nine goals and two assists this season and some United fans may remember him for scoring two goals against Ten Hag’s side last season.
Others will remember En-Nesyri as being the man who fired Morocco to victory over Portugal in the World Cup last year, heading home the winner to leave Cristiano Ronaldo in tears.
Youssef En-Nesyri, what they say
“He is one of the best headers of the ball in Europe, I would say, in terms of attacking the ball as a centre-forward. He scored a goal against Manchester City recently in the Super Cup, which was just unbelievable. We saw him do that at the World Cup for Morocco. He is somebody that had dipped a little bit, in terms of his performance levels, but you look at the back end of last season, he was a massive part of them winning the Europa League. In terms of his physical ability in the Premier League, I don’t think it would be a problem,” – European football expert Kevin Hatchard, 2023. (Sky Sports (21/08/23 at 1:10 pm).
“He is quick, he runs a lot, he has a high speed intensity, pressing the ball and is always in movements on the pitch. He is a very interesting player. He is a very good guy, too. When he came to Leganes, he was like a kid, and he was always listening to advice. He is a quiet guy who respects everyone and who is a great professional,” – Ex-Liverpool winger Nabil El Zhar, 2022.
Youssef En-Nesyri to Manchester United analysis
We can understand the desire to land another striker, especially one with some decent experience like En-Nesyri.
Ten Hag has liked strikers who pose an aerial threat, previously utilising Sebastien Haller to great effect and bringing Wout Weghorst to United.
En-Nesyri would fit a similar bill and £16million would fit the bill budget-wise, but his streaky form at Sevilla makes us think this is a move to avoid.
Finding a striker to support Hojlund won’t be easy, and we understand United looking far and wide for a possible answer.
En-Nesyri is a name to keep tabs on but we think United would be better off with Guirassy after his exploits at Stuttgart.
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