Scout Report: Should Manchester United sign Darwin Núñez?
It looks very likely that United will sign a striker this summer with current interim manager Ralf Rangnick having admitted it’s a position the club need to address. Cristiano Ronaldo coming towards the end of his career and Edinson Cavani as well as Anthony Martial likely to leave means the position is in desperate need of bolstering. One of the many names the club has been linked to is Benfica star Darwin Núñez.
Date of Birth: 24/06/1999 (22)
Position: Striker
Strong Foot: Right
Height: 1,87 m (6ft 1in)
Who is he?
Darwin Núñez is a 22 year-old Uruguayan striker currently plying his trade at Portuguese club Benfica. The striker started his career at Uruguayan club Penarol, the same club Manchester United bought Facundo Pellistri from. In August 2019, he left Uruguay and went to Spain where he joined 2nd division side UD Almería. He spent 1 year there where he scored 16 goals in 32 appearances. In September 2020, he joined his current club Benfica where he’s made a real name for himself.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis season, the Uruguayan has managed 31 goals in 36 appearances for Benfica in all competitions this season. He’s performed in Europe as well and has scored five goals in nine games in the Champions League, including one against Erik ten Hag’s Ajax which sent Benfica through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
According to the Athletic, Manchester United are one of the leading contenders to sign the Uruguayan striker with Benfica looking for a fee in the region of €70 million.
Strengths
As seen this season, Núñez is a prolific goalscorer and possesses fantastic finishing ability but he can also play on the wing as he can be creative and use his good turn of pace. At 6’’1, he’s a dominant figure aerially making him a threat from crosses and corners which is something United could use considering how much they have struggled to score from set-pieces this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesNúñez is also strong which would help him a lot in dealing with the physicality of the Premier League. Núñez’s style of play is more suited to playing alongside a strike partner however he can play down the middle alone.
Weaknesses
Núñez has a few weaknesses to his game. One of them is his first touch which lets him down at times. His decision making is also something that has let him down at times but he is only 22 and that’s likely to improve as he becomes more experienced.
Where would he fit in at United?
Embed from Getty ImagesThere’s no doubt United need to sign a striker this summer. Edinson Cavani is set to leave the club, Anthony Martial will most likely seek a fresh start elsewhere and Cristiano Ronaldo is at the stage in his career where he can’t play every game. Núñez is only 22 and looks like a very promising talent. If successful, he could lead the line at Old Trafford for many years to come. He also suits the profile of being young but also ready for the now.
Verdict
Núñez has proved himself in Portugal and this summer could be the time to make the step to a European giant. While there’s no doubting his quality, €70 million is a lot of money to invest in someone who hasn’t played in one of Europe’s top 5 leagues. He has performed in the Champions League but with the likes of Charlie McNeill and Joe Hugill progressing through the ranks at United, it may be a smarter decision to give them a chance instead of investing such a steep sum of money in an inexperienced player such as Núñez. In the last, United have also been linked to the likes of Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez. Ultimately, it will come down to what Erik ten Hag wants, as he’s set to be appointed as the new manager of Manchester United.
Founder/Owner of UnitedConstantly