Manchester United are making a dramatic deadline-day move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku as they scramble for attacking reinforcements.
Their attacking woes were painfully evident in a humbling defeat to Crystal Palace, where manager Ruben Amorim was forced to start midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine.
Despite spending over £100m on Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, both strikers were left on the bench.
The urgency to bolster their frontline has intensified with Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa. Rashford, who has been frozen out for weeks, leaves United even more depleted up front.
After negotiations for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel collapsed, United have now turned their attention to Nkunku.
Chelsea signed Nkunku from RB Leipzig for over £50m in 2023, but the French forward has struggled with injuries and form.
He managed just 14 appearances in his debut season and has since fallen out of favor under Enzo Maresca, starting only three league matches this term.
Eager for more playing time, Nkunku had been linked with Bayern, but that move hinged on Tel leaving first—a deal that never materialized.
Now, United are accelerating their pursuit of Nkunku, and Chelsea are reportedly open to letting him go. In a shocking twist, the London club could even push for Alejandro Garnacho as part of the deal.
United had previously signaled a willingness to sell the Argentine winger, attracting Chelsea’s attention. However, Amorim recently indicated a change of heart, bringing Garnacho back into the fold after previously disciplining him alongside Rashford.
The potential swap has sparked debate, with former United players warning against parting ways with Garnacho. Club legend Gary Neville voiced skepticism, questioning the logic of trading a promising talent for an injury-prone Nkunku. “I don’t get it for United,” Neville told NBC Sports. “Nkunku’s barely played, struggled with injuries, and hasn’t really settled. If United got good money for Garnacho, that’s one thing—but swapping him for Nkunku? I don’t see the sense in that.”
Nkunku was prolific at RB Leipzig, netting 70 goals in 172 games, but he has managed just five in 30 league appearances for Chelsea. With United languishing in 12th place, they are desperate for firepower—but is Nkunku the answer, or is this another rushed gamble?