Could Manchester United start the new season with Wayne Rooney and Dimi Berbatov as their first-choice strikeforce and just Macheda and Danny Welbeck as cover?
The scenario has become a likelihood according to Fleet Street after Real Madrid's capture of Karim Benzema prompted a number of broadsheet newspapers to predict that, short of options and reluctant to pay over the odds, Sir Alex Ferguson will not reinforce his arsenal after missing out on Benzema.
A refusal to add to his strikeforce in the summer that he has lost both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez would constitute one of the bravest/most remarkable gambles Ferguson has ever taken in his twenty-year reign at Old Trafford. However, Fleet Street is unanimous in its belief that Benzema's decision to move to Spain has left United reeling and short of options.
'Benzema's decision is a huge blow to United, who are understood to have made him their No 1 target after selling Ronaldo to Madrid for £80m,' reports The Daily Mail. 'It is also a further indication of both Madrid's ambition and the shift of power to the Spanish league.'
Only The Guardian says that United did not enter - and lose - a bidding war with Madrid for the French youngster. 'Ferguson's long-standing admiration for the 21-year-old Lyon player never manifested itself in the form of a concerted attempt to bring him to Old Trafford as a replacement for Carlos Tevez,' the newspaper claims. 'Instead, United have left Madrid unchallenged to add yet another striker to their already bloated squad.'
However, that soothing account is flatly contradicted by every other daily-selling publication. 'Once United became aware that Lyon had accepted Real's bid they then submitted an offer of 40 million euros (£35 million),' says The Daily Telegraph. 'However Benzema was already too far progressed in his discussions with Real, having also spoken to United, and the Spanish club were also willing to add extra payments, depending on targets and bonuses, which meant their bid came in slightly higher than United's.'
So who does Ferguson turn to next?
Probably nobody declares The Times in something of a bombshell announcement:
'Ferguson, the United manager, has made it clear privately that he will not pay over the odds, or be forced into signing a striker if the right one is not available, just because of the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tévez.
'Some well-placed sources have claimed that Ferguson may not even sign a striker this summer and will instead look to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to spearhead United's attack next season. Injuries to either player, however, would leave his front line severely depleted.'
Although David Villa, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Sergio Agüero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Samuel Eto'o and even Michael Owen are all mooted as possible alternatives for Ferguson to pursue, none is given a ringing endorsement.
Villa is expected to join Madrid or Barcelona if he does leave Valencia, Huntelaar's reputation has suffered in Spain, Agüero is considered over-priced at £38.6million, Ibrahimovic 'has rarely fired against the physical presence of English sides', while the age of the 28-year-old Eto'o counts against him, as does his African Nations Cup obligation in January. And Owen?
'The prospect is an intriguing one,' muses The Independent. 'Ferguson tried to sign the 29-year-old as a youngster and there have been rumours that he has returned with inquiries since. The £40,000 a week Owen might be prepared to accept will certainly not hurt United and there are enough attacking options at Old Trafford to make the risk of injuries to which Owen has become prone less of a problem than at most other clubs.
'A possibility, perhaps, but the good money now has to be on Ferguson not seeking further front line reinforcements.'
Your Comments
bakerbard
"bottom line, come start of the season Utd will be a stronger TEAM, and there will be big new signings. SAF is no mug having seen it, done it for 20 odd years. They're still the team to beat. As for Madrid, love it. Get in shite load of debt just to sell shirts.. and still win bugger all!! Bring on the footie!!!!"
bakerbard
"I don't think its panic stations yet at OT. SAF is no fool, proven, and come the start of the season the squad will be more than strong enough. Signing Owen is a masterstroke, now he needs to sort the midfield. Rumours of Yaya Toure, would be a great player in the middle of the park, depends on whether Masch goes to Barca. Could also do with a right back. Whatever, whoever, whenever, you can be sure SAF has it all in hand"
steed_8
"The papers were right, Man Utd won't sign a striker. They'll sign a man made of glass instead."
Eazy
"I think Ferguson will look for a proven scorer who's happy to play second fiddle to both Rooney & Berbatov, the role played perfectly by Solskjaer during the his days.
The last time this shortage of strikers happens, he brought veteran Henrik Larsson on loan. Nistelrooy back to MU? But Real Madrid would probably sell rather than loan him out, and there's still some bad blood between Ferguson and him I suppose."
disGUSting
"EoinMUFC - Higuain had a better scoring record than Huntelaar last season and is 4 years younger. Scored some important late goals also. I think Huntelaar would be too similar to Berbatov.
Cant stand Owen & would rather keep the squad as is than add him no matter what he would cost."
highwayqc
"If they could let bygones be bygones Van Nistlerooy could come back.He was fantastic before and has a huge strike rate wherever he's played against any opposition.I think he's still got it at 33 and maybe he would accept not playing every match at his age.I dont know how badly he was injured so that might rule him out anyway."
hutcyh
"I agree with you mancunian4life, you seem to be the only one talking sence here. I was born a Man united fan and live for them. The last fem months have been very tough, first we played so poor in Rome and then we sold the best player in the world, like him or hate him. I am angry that we did not get 110 million for him and also that we sold him to real madrid who have no class, they will always play second fiddle to Barcelona. I was very hopefull that we would get Karim Benzema as i think he is perfect for our style of play. Now i am just fed up, but all my trust is in the GREAT MAN SIR ALEX."
arsenewho
"First, you must be mad to want Ferguson to leave. Every club there is wants to find their own Ferguson! Second, Villa is going to Barça or staying at Valencia, no chance for Man Utd. Third, 38m too much for Aguero? Oh, yes, of course, the footballing reincarnation of Romario can not possibly be worth anything. Ferguson, just pay up for the Kun. You´ll never regret it. Point four, the French league is still one of the top five in Europe, and Benzema its top star. Hate Madrid, but is a great signing that sooner or later had to end up in a big team. Pity that big team is the fascists'. Last, if you really want a class player, and you want to piss the hell out of Madrid for taking Ronaldo, give it all for Ribery, well worth any expense..."
Altaaz
"Eto'o is staying at Barca or going to Man City, Villa is staying at Valenc. or going to Barca, Ribery is (most likely) going to Real or staying at Bayern, Tevez isn't going back to Man U, Benzema is signed by Real; all the other big-name players are staying put (Gerrard, Messi, Drogba, Torres etc) and Valencia really doesn't want to trade David Silva (top-class player) .. so Man U is left with 80 million pounds - signing of Antonio Valencia (approx 16 mil pounds) and are really running out of options now .. may be the Ronaldo trade doesn't look so good for Man U now b/c they are either going to have to overpay for a great player, get a couple of average players or do nothing at all (the latter two options will result in them winning absolutely nothing in the coming year (2010) "
mancunian4life
"Luis Fabiano maybe? He looked pretty good at the Confederations Cup and wouldn't have to be first choice, which could give him time to bed in properly."
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