Manchester United
Man United signing this explosive £30m PL star would be a massive coup
Why Raul Jimenez could be the missing link at Man United
According to Goal (h/t The Sun), Man United have been credited with an interest in Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who has been firing on all cylinders at Molineux this season.
The 28-year-old Mexican international initially joined Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2018 before his prolific form prompted the Black Country outfit to fork out a club-record fee of £30million to make his stay permanent back in April 2019.
Jimenez, who scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves the last term, has already equalled his tally from the previous campaign, while also registering 9 assists to add a bit more gloss to his exploits.
The Mexican has plundered 8 goals and 6 assists in 21 Premier League appearances so far this term. His red-hot form has been enough to catapult him on to the radar of Man United, who have also identified RB Leipzig star Timo Werner as a potential target during the January transfer window (h/t The Sun).
As per the report, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo recently commented that he hadn’t heard about Jimenez’s links to Old Trafford, although the Portuguese tactician did admit that he is unsure whether the Mexican would stay put at Molineux beyond January.
The Red Devils have Premier League fixtures coming up against Norwich City, Liverpool and Burnley before the return leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against City on January 29 and a home fixture against Wolves at the beginning of February.
To that end, Ole Gunnar Solskajer has plenty of food for thought, with United certainly having a lot to play for on all fronts in the coming weeks before the transfer deadline.
Despite showing obvious signs of promise in the ongoing campaign, United have blown hot and cold far too often for anybody’s liking and Solskjaer clearly has a lot of work to do in that regard.
Currently placed 5th in the Premier League standings, five points adrift of Chelsea in the top-four race, the Red Devils need to sort out their inconsistencies quickly enough to stay relevant in the quest for Champions League football next season.
While a significant outlay to shore up the backline with Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this past summer has paid rich dividends, United have often lacked the creative influence in the final third and the attacking firepower to break the opposition down.
Marcus Rashford (12 goals, 4 assists), Anthony Martial (7 goals, 3 assists) and Daniel James (3 goals, 6 assists) have all chipped in with significant goal contributions while teenage prospect Mason Greenwood has also impressed with a level of maturity that belies his tender years.
However, United have lacked a genuine focal point in their attack, with much of their attacking play and goalscoring threat centred around pace.
While likes of Rashford, Martial and James have all excelled in Solskjaer’s direct brand of quick counter-attacking football, United are in dire need of an instinctive goal poacher with good ball-holding qualities to add another dimension to their attack.
Verdict
Indeed, Man United’s brand of football have often been too predictable and far too reliant on pace, meaning that a goalscoring target-man could possibly improve the current attacking cavalry.
To put things into perspective, Raul Jimenez perfectly fits the description and his proven track record in the Premier League means that the Mexican could well come through the door at Old Trafford as a risk-free signing.season.
As per whoscored, Jimenez has averaged 2.2 aerial duels, 3.2 shots, 1.7 key passes, 1.8 dribbles and 1.2 long balls per game in the Premier League this term, figures which clearly lie testament to his well-rounded attributes as a target man up top.
The Mexican has formed a formidable strike pairing with Diogo Jota at Molineux and his arrival at Old Trafford could go a long way towards bringing the best out of pacey attackers like Rashford and Martial.
Besides proving himself to be a complete nuisance to defences in the Premier League with his strength and aerial ability, the 28-year-old has also illustrated his proficiency in creating goals for his teammates.
Plus, of course, he has established himself as one of the best penalty-box strikers in the Premier League, with each of his 21 goals in the Premier League coming from inside the penalty area.
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Having said that, Man United completing a deal for Raul Jimenez would improve their attack massively as the Red Devils look to push on for top-four glory in the Premier League.
Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes Reveals What He Admires About Jess Park’s Game as Man United Captain Praises Fellow Number Eight’s Smashing Season
Bruno Fernandes is a big fan of Manchester United Women midfielder Jess Park. The Portugal international shares the number eight shirt with Park and has been impressed by her debut campaign following her summer move from Manchester City.
Park has registered nine goals and five assists since joining from crosstown rivals in an impressive first season. The England international has won United’s Player of the Month award a team high four times, which demonstrates her consistent quality.
Not as Easy as It Looks
Fernandes watched back some of Park’s best moments for United, including her Goal of the Month winner against the London City Lionesses. The midfielder came in off the left flank to beat her marker before driving into space and picking out the far bottom corner.
“It all starts with the first touch. She gets the control there away from the player, she gets a lot of space to then run. Then the speed to run quick like that and then to be very accurate with the shot, it’s a very good thing. It’s not as easy as it looks,” Fernandes explained, which is an absolutely spot on analysis.
Lot of Futsal in That Goal
The United captain also praised Park’s winner against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Park helped start the move with a dribble from deep before getting into the box and finishing by picking out the far top corner.
“We spoke about the number eight shirt, and she was in the middle, creating and dictating the tempo. Then she follows up and she ends up in the box with the opportunity to finish. I think the finish is fantastic. There’s a lot of futsal in that goal there,” Fernandes said.
Very Quick With Her Feet
Fernandes watched Park’s solo effort at Aston Villa, which won another Goal of the Month prize. “She’s very quick with her feet and goes onto her left foot, which the defender was probably not expecting,” he acknowledged.
Also read: Hanna Lundkvist Makes Feelings Known After Manchester United Women Stalemate Against West Ham
Chelsea Dragon
Manchester United Women Star Pinpoints Unique Reason for Success as Red Devils Prepare for First Ever League Cup Final
Manchester United Women will face Chelsea in their first ever League Cup final on Sunday. The Red Devils will be aiming to win their second trophy in their history after their FA Cup victory in 2024 with summer signing Fridolina Rolfo one of the reasons behind United’s success this season.
In an interview with FourFourTwo, the Swede was asked how she felt about reaching a final in her first season at the club. “It feels great. We’ve been having a great season so far, and now reaching a final, it feels absolutely amazing. We are super excited because it’s these games you want to play, so we’re really looking forward to it,” Rolfo retorted.
Team Spirit Something Unique
One of the factors behind United’s success, which is frequently brought up, is that of the team spirit in the camp. Rolfo was also keen to address this and elaborated, “I would say that the team spirit is something unique and something we bring out with us on the pitch as well. We always work hard for each other, we push ourselves in training and in games, and we want to win together.”
She added, “Having such a good team spirit is what makes us more successful. We’re having fun together, and we enjoy being together.” Rolfo explained that she wants to help the team in any way she can, whether that is scoring, assisting, or just working hard, as they aspire to win a trophy.
Better Way to Go Into Game
Chelsea have already knocked United out of the FA Cup this season and boast a far superior record over Marc Skinner’s side. Rolfo chose to focus on the positives, though, and asserted confidently, “Not being a favourite, I think that’s almost the better way to go into a game. I prefer being an underdog than a favourite because if you’re a favourite, you have all the pressure on you.”
Also read: Chelsea Plan Bombshell Move For WSL Rivals’ Star as Blues Eye ‘This’ Manchester City Striker
Manchester City
Jess Park Opens Up: Lionesses Star on Joining Man Utd From Man City and Message of Freedom That Has Her Thriving Ahead of League Cup Final
There was less than an hour remaining in the Women’s Super League summer transfer window when the most stunning business of all was completed. Jess Park and Grace Clinton had been stalwarts at Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively, during the previous season, and yet at the eleventh hour, both were sent to opposite sides of the city.
It prompted criticism of United, with many questioning whether they had done enough summer business. That feeling intensified in the first half of the season when the club’s lack of depth played a part in their inability to mount a serious WSL title challenge. But no criticism can be levelled at the club for what they have done with Park.
Given Freedom to Find Spaces
Revitalised by the freedom handed to her by United boss Marc Skinner, who has crafted out a unique role for her on the pitch, the England international has helped this team reach the Champions League quarter finals and Sunday’s League Cup final. “Of course you’re going to be a little bit sceptical. But as soon as I hit the field, I heard the fans straight away, and that’s much appreciated. I’ve loved every minute of it,” Park tells GOAL.
Park plays like she is loving it, too. With six goals and four assists, it is already her best ever WSL season in terms of goal contributions, and there are still six games to play. That is on top of three goals in other competitions, including the crucial equaliser in the League Cup quarter final win over Tottenham.
Position is Just Where You Start
The position Skinner has put Park in has helped to bring that form out of her. At City, she was deployed in a more orthodox central midfield role, but at United, she has most often started on the right and been allowed to float into whatever spaces appear. Asked what the message has been in that role, Park says, “Have freedom, find the ball, find the spaces, find the pockets.”
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