Having failed to sign a replacement for Romelu Lukaku following his departure to Serie A giants Inter, Manchester United have understandably looked short of firepower this season. They have scored just 36 times in the Premier League – a total that is the worst out of the current top six.
It’s been no surprise therefore to see the Red Devils being linked with a whole host of strikers, with reports in recent weeks claiming they hold an interest in Wolves star Raul Jimenez.
And now, according to The Daily Mail, United have set their sights on bringing in Leicester flop Islam Slimani on loan until the end of the season, and that the Foxes have demanded a £4m fee to let him go.
After hearing about the links to their latest striking target, United fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.
My club is dead
— IKAY (@ValanyManutd) January 24, 2020
Signing a player on loan who is on loan at another club .this club has turned into a joke
— the joker (@StarterIm) January 24, 2020
We really should have just got Mandzukic..
— What’s Real (@DreamsR4Real999) January 24, 2020
The same Slimani who was a complete failure at Leicester? How far we have fallen…
— Marcin (@Cinkiewicz7) January 24, 2020
A few fans even talked about bringing some of their former players back instead, with one supporter in particular even suggesting Marouane Fellaini would be a better choice than Slimani.
I will rather have fellani back than slimani
— Osahon patrick (@patrickunited) January 24, 2020
Getting out of hand now. May as well see if Erik nevland wants a game
— Stephen Shaw (@shawsy88) January 24, 2020
Damm how the mighty has fallen. We should bring back Bobby Charlton then
— Edwin Aryeh (@EdwinAryeh) January 24, 2020
A couple of supporters also expressed their frustrations at seeing how the club don’t appear to be going for Edinson Cavani, who has reportedly asked to leave PSG.
Edinson Cavani is available. But yeah, let’s go get this bloke instead.
— ً (@UtdHenry) January 24, 2020
Wow, these are actually the levels we’re sinking to, especially when Cavani is available- first Tevez now Slimani who’s next Crouchie out of retirement?
— Just introduce me as… ℝℕℤ (@D0ntGetItTwiStd) January 24, 2020
With Rashford facing up to three months out with a double stress fracture, United are in desperate need of some attacking reinforcements. The injury to the England international means the Red Devils are left with Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as their two sole options to lead the attack, and the latter is still a teenager in the early stages of his career.
Whilst Slimani may not be the kind of high-profile signing that gets people excited – his record of 13 goals in 50 games for both Leicester and Newcastle is nothing to write home about – he would at the very least provide them with another body. United are in need of quantity, and not just quality. A loan swoop for the Algeria international can help solve those woes.
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must make a ruthless call on this under-performing ace.