Man Utd news: Club told striker is ‘waiting’ for them as star speaks out on transfer move

Manchester United face a pivotal few days as the summer transfer window enters its final stretch, with Michael Carrick’s side still searching for a definitive attacking upgrade. The club’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen has taken another twist, with reports suggesting the Galatasaray striker is now “waiting” for a move to Old Trafford—provided the paperwork aligns before Thursday’s deadline.

Osimhen’s stance complicates United’s deadline calculations

Former United forward Louis Saha has claimed Osimhen remains keen on joining Manchester United, despite interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. Speaking to MrGamble, Saha insisted the Nigeria international’s preference is clear: “I know for a fact that Victor Osimhen is a Manchester United fan. He loves Man United… Osimhen is still waiting.” The 27-year-old’s potential arrival would mark a significant statement of intent from Carrick, who has already reshaped the midfield with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba. Yet the attack remains a work in progress, with Osimhen’s availability hinging on Galatasaray’s willingness to finalise a deal before the deadline.

Saha argued Osimhen could thrive alongside Benjamin Sesko, suggesting the Nigerian’s movement and experience would complement the young Austrian. “Osimhen can teach Sesko about movement and being a striker,” he said. “They could also play together and combine better than Kane and Sesko could.” The club’s hierarchy will weigh these factors against the financial and logistical realities of a last-minute swoop. While United’s January pursuit of Harry Kane ultimately fell through, the need for a proven Premier League striker has only grown more urgent as Carrick seeks to balance ambition with pragmatism.

Carrick’s reshuffle continues as Collyer exits

While the attack remains unresolved, Carrick has moved decisively in other areas. The arrival of Karl Darlow as a veteran goalkeeper option underscores the manager’s focus on squad depth, while Toby Collyer’s departure to an unnamed club frees up a pathway for further incomings. The midfield quartet of Santos, Tielemans, Baleba, and Kobbie Mainoo provides Carrick with tactical flexibility, but the lack of a proven Premier League striker risks leaving United exposed in transition.

United’s recent 5-2 thrashing of Ipswich Town offered a glimpse of their attacking potential, with Bruno Fernandes’ influence undeniable. Yet the debate over refereeing decisions—specifically a controversial own goal awarded after Harry Maguire’s handball—highlighted the fragility of United’s defensive structure. Match of the Day pundits Ellen White and Shay Given dissected the incident, questioning whether the laws were applied correctly. Such distractions are the last thing Carrick needs as he navigates the transfer market’s final hours.

Fernandes remains the fulcrum of United’s project

For all the new signings, it is Fernandes who continues to set the standard. His recent performances, including a hat-trick against Ipswich, have masked deeper structural issues at the club. As Simon Stone noted, Fernandes’ ability to dictate play and score goals keeps United competitive, but the reliance on one player is unsustainable. The question now is whether Carrick can secure the attacking reinforcement needed to ease that burden.

United’s transfer activity this summer has been characterised by pragmatism over spectacle. While Carrick has addressed midfield and goalkeeping, the striker position remains a glaring omission. Osimhen’s availability could change that narrative, but time is running out. If the deal collapses, Carrick may need to reconsider his options—or risk entering the season with an unbalanced squad.

The coming days will determine whether United can turn “waiting” into a done deal. For a club desperate to move forward, the stakes could not be higher.

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