Manchester United are reportedly set to target Croatian veteran Mario Mandzukic to beef up their attack in the January transfer window.

According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United seem to have reignited their interest in Mario Mandzukic, as they start laying down their plans for the January transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights are keen on swooping the veteran striker away from Juventus to bolster their faltering attack.

Mandzukic has enjoyed a fine career renaissance since joining Juventus from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015. Over the last four years, the Croat has steadily grown in stature in Turin and has been a key player for the Bianconeri.

However, this past summer, the 33-year-old saw his Juventus future being shrouded in uncertainty. Questions first started to arise over his place in the Serie A champions’ first-team setup when they were targeting Belgian Romelu Lukaku, then at Manchester United.

Subsequently, Mandzukic was linked with a move to Manchester United, who were reportedly in talks with Juventus, at the same time when the shock Lukaku-Paulo Dybala swap deal rumours started cropping up. Eventually, the Bianconeri did not sign Lukaku, who ended up joining bitter rivals Inter Milan instead.

Manchester bound? (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Manchester bound? (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Dybala and Mandzukic ended up staying put at Juventus, with Manchester United ending their pursuit of the the Croatian veteran on the British deadline day. However, the player’s future remains under a cloud, having not featured in any game for the Italian giants while also being omitted from their UEFA Champions League squad for the Group Stage.

And, Manchester United are hoping to take advantage of the situation by launching a move in the January transfer window for the cultured striker. With Juventus seemingly open to the idea of parting ways with the 33-year-old, as per The Sun, a transfer could be possible this time around.

Manchester United could well do with a player like Mandzukic, having seen their attacking woes being compounded in the early stages of the season. With Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez making their way to Inter Milan, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was already stretched for striking options. And, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford’s injury-enforced absences has laid the manager’s problems bare.

Mason Greenwood is now the only fit striker at the Manchester United manager’s disposal. Add to it the fact that Rashford has been misfiring in front of goal and it all adds up to make Mandzukic a viable target for the Red Devils.

But, as was the case in the summer, the player’s desire, or lack thereof, to play for Manchester United will play a crucial role in enabling the transfer to see the light of the day. For now, it looks as if Mandzukic is back on United’s radar and it remains to be seen if he finally joins them in January.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Recommended

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.