According to Prominent Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano Man United is about to a Major striker upgrade over Højlund as Wilcox initiates negotiations to bring “the next Mbappé” to Manchester United
Manchester United reached a low point last season, but Ruben Amorim believes in a turnaround and is determined to steer the club upward.
Manchester United reached a low point last season, but Ruben Amorim believes in a turnaround and is determined to steer the club upward.
With a vision to overhaul the attacking setup, Amorim has already made moves, beginning with the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Talks are also ongoing to bring in right-winger Bryan Mbeumo.
Arguably the most crucial change could involve replacing Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish striker endured a difficult campaign, and finding a new leading man could be pivotal to revitalizing the squad.
Although Hojlund faced criticism for his return of just four goals in 32 league games during the 2024/25 season, he wasn’t particularly wasteful—Sofascore notes he missed only six clear chances—indicating a lack of service rather than poor finishing. Still, his struggles have fueled speculation of a potential return to Serie A, two years after his £72 million switch from Atalanta.
United make move for Ekitike
According to Spanish media, Manchester United have now initiated contact with Eintracht Frankfurt to explore a deal for Hugo Ekitike. The 22-year-old French striker is attracting interest from several top clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea. With the pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres hitting a dead end, Ekitike has emerged as a top alternative.
Frankfurt, however, have placed a hefty €100 million (£84 million) price tag on their star man, which United must now evaluate carefully.
Why Ekitike is a smart target
Despite his youth, Ekitike has proven himself among Europe’s elite young forwards. Analyst Ben Mattinson has lauded him as “one of the best strikers available,” while journalist Graeme Bailey has dubbed him the “next Mbappe.”
In 2024/25, the French forward tallied 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, demonstrating both his scoring prowess and his creativity as a well-rounded attacker.
With Cunha already onboard and Mbeumo potentially joining, Amorim’s system could be perfectly suited to Ekitike’s strengths, forming a dynamic front three that would clearly enhance the team’s attack compared to this past season.
Hojlund vs. Ekitike: A statistical comparison (2024/25)
| Stat (per 90 mins) | Hojlund | Ekitike |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0.30 | 0.51 |
| Assists | 0.06 | 0.29 |
| Shots | 1.65 | 3.74 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.07 | 3.50 |
| Touches in attacking box | 3.78 | 6.73 |
| Pass completion | 76.9% | 75.3% |
| Progressive passes | 0.96 | 1.95 |
| Progressive carries | 1.20 | 3.04 |
| Successful take-ons | 0.33 | 1.90 |
| Ball recoveries | 1.71 | 2.75 |
Data: FBref
Clearly, Ekitike outperforms Hojlund across most metrics—especially in attacking output and build-up involvement.
In addition, Ekitike’s finishing has been more efficient. He scored 16 Bundesliga goals and missed just 15 big chances, per Sofascore, suggesting a sharp eye for goal and strong decision-making in front of the net.
His awareness and movement align well with the demands of leading the line at a top-tier club like Manchester United. Placed between Cunha and Mbeumo, Ekitike could help forge a more cohesive and dangerous attack under Amorim.
Sadly for Hojlund, the path back into United’s plans may be narrowing. A change at centre-forward could be exactly what the club needs to rebuild and contend once more.
