Why Manchester United must reignite their interest in Marko Arnautovic
According to a report from the Daily Star, Manchester United were interested in West Ham star Marko Arnautovic in the summer. However, a deal never materialised and the Austrian stayed put at West Ham.
Marko Arnautovic, 29, has been West Ham’s top marksman this season, having already found the net five times in 10 league matches despite the club’s early struggles under Manuel Pellegrini. But the 29-year-old has now revealed that he is at the best age to test himself against the elite European clubs.
Now that the Austrian has issued a come and get me plea, should Manchester United reignite their interest in the player?
Manchester United have endured a poor start to the new Premier League season and were easily beaten by arch-rivals Manchester City last weekend.
The defeat against Manchester City saw the gap between them and Manchester United increase to 12 points after just 12 games, thus almost ending Jose Mourinho-managed side’s title hopes for this season.
The Red Devils’ main concern remains the defence but going forward, the team has also royally struggled this campaign.
In Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata, Manchester United have a star-studded attack but they have failed to deliver the goods consistently that has resulted in Mourinho constantly chopping and changing his starting XI.
United are in desperate need of fresh faces in January and while a central defender is a priority, Mourinho must also sign a forward to boost his attacking ranks. Marko Arnautovic would fit the bill perfectly at Old Trafford.
Arnautovic arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2017 but struggled under Slaven Bilic initially. However, he rediscovered his mojo under David Moyes after being handed a more central role.
Now playing in a central role under Manuel Pellegrini, he is thriving and has established himself as one of the most feared attackers in the Premier League.
The Austrian, known for his hot-headed outbursts and a lack of end product, has managed to channelise his aggression perfectly. During his Inter Milan days when Jose Mourinho was the manager of the club, Arnautovic was on loan from Dutch club FC Twente and sported a poor attitude that led to the Portuguese manager not making the player’s deal permanent.
But since then, the Austria international has matured and grown leaps and bounds as a player, both on and off the pitch. The biggest asset of Arnautovic is his confidence. He is that sort of player who backs his ability and is the first man to start the pressing for West Ham.
He is aggressive, strong, powerful in the air and possesses the explosive pace to burn. Due to his menacing pace and directness, it also makes him a huge threat for counter-attacks, something which should entice Mourinho.
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All in all, Manchester United must try luring Arnautovic away from West Ham in January. The Austrian could have a huge say in United’s second half of the season.