Should Manchester United Take a Risk on Liverpool Forward? | OneFootball

Why Manchester United Targeting Darwin Núñez Makes No Sense

Manchester United’s ongoing striker dilemma has once again taken centre stage, with former club legend Dwight Yorke suggesting that his old side should raid Liverpool for Darwin Núñez, as per TeamTalk. The call to replace £72 million signing Rasmus Højlund with the Uruguayan forward, who has endured his own struggles at Anfield, has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

United’s Striker Woes and Højlund’s Struggles

United’s attacking issues have been glaringly obvious throughout the season. Højlund, despite flashes of quality in his debut campaign, has found the Premier League a difficult hunting ground. His tally of just two league goals and seven in total across 33 appearances paints a concerning picture for a player United invested heavily in.

Photo IMAGO

Yorke’s assessment of Højlund is scathing but not entirely unjustified. “Højlund, I’m yet to see anything that suggests he’s the future number nine for Manchester United. He’s not even close.”

With Joshua Zirkzee also failing to offer a viable alternative, United’s reliance on an out-of-form frontline has left them toothless in key matches. It is no surprise, then, that speculation over a new striker has intensified, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen reportedly “95 percent” certain to make a move to Old Trafford.

Why Núñez? Yorke’s Surprise Recommendation

While Osimhen remains the most logical target, Yorke has taken a different approach. He believes that United should “take a punt” on Darwin Núñez, a player whose raw ability, physicality, and occasional brilliance have been overshadowed by inconsistency since his £85 million move to Liverpool.

Photo: IMAGO

“I would be brave and take a look at Darwin Núñez if Liverpool make him available,” Yorke told CasinoBeats. “He’s got a little roughness around the edges. United need somebody up there who can be the top man – they’re missing a player who’s got that belief and confidence.”

There is no doubt that Núñez possesses a unique skill set. His pace, aggression, and unorthodox style of play make him a handful for defenders. However, the argument for United pursuing him as a solution to their striking problems is a puzzling one.

A Risky Move for Both Clubs

United targeting Núñez raises several questions. Firstly, why would Liverpool, their fiercest rivals, willingly strengthen them? The notion of selling a striker to Old Trafford is historically unthinkable, with only a handful of players ever making that switch directly.

Secondly, Núñez himself remains an enigma. His erratic finishing and decision-making continue to frustrate Liverpool fans, but there are moments of undeniable brilliance in his game. Yorke insists that United should take “a serious look at him,” citing his “swagger” and “physical presence” as key attributes missing from United’s frontline.

“You’re not going to get [Alexander] Isak. He would look at Man United and might think about it if they come in, but he will want to go to Liverpool or maybe Arsenal. If Liverpool want you with what’s happening there, it’s an easy choice to make.”

This raises another issue: United’s transfer appeal. In recent years, their ability to attract top-tier talent has diminished. If Newcastle’s Isak and Napoli’s Osimhen are seen as unrealistic options, what does that say about United’s current status in the footballing hierarchy?

Yorke believes Liverpool could be open to selling Núñez should they sign a new forward this summer. “If they sign one, someone’s got to be offloaded to balance the books. If they’re going to offload Núñez, I will say to United take a serious look at him.”

A Deal That Won’t Happen

Despite Yorke’s confidence in Núñez’s potential impact at Old Trafford, the reality remains that a deal between these two rivals is highly unlikely. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, will be wary of making such a move, even if they decide to part ways with the Uruguayan.

Núñez is not the finished article, but his ceiling remains high. United, desperate for attacking reinforcements, should be focusing on a striker who guarantees goals rather than gambling on a player who has yet to prove his consistency in the Premier League.

Even from a tactical standpoint, the move makes little sense. United’s current setup under Ruben Amorim would require a more clinical, composed finisher—attributes that Núñez has struggled to showcase at Liverpool.

Højlund’s future may be in doubt, but Núñez is not the answer. If United are serious about bridging the gap to the league’s elite, they must look elsewhere for their next number nine.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Opinion: Concerned United and Liverpool Fans React

Yorke’s comments have sparked contrasting reactions from both sets of supporters. Many Manchester United fans are questioning whether Núñez, a player with similar inconsistency issues to Højlund, is really worth pursuing.

Liverpool fans, on the other hand, are concerned about the constant speculation surrounding Núñez’s future. Despite his struggles, he remains a fan favourite for his relentless energy and ability to turn games on their head. The idea of selling him to United—historically unthinkable—feels particularly outlandish.

One thing both sets of supporters can agree on is that this potential transfer is far from a done deal. United’s priority should be securing an elite-level forward who can immediately transform their attack, rather than taking another gamble on a player still finding his feet in England.

For Liverpool, unless a significant bid arrives, Núñez is likely to remain part of their long-term plans. Arne Slot’s tactical demands will be different from Jürgen Klopp’s, and the Uruguayan could yet thrive in a new system.

Ultimately, Yorke’s suggestion makes for an interesting debate, but as far as reality is concerned, a Núñez-to-United transfer seems as improbable as ever.