Utd's Carrick eyes Brugge striker to boost Champions League hopes

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, fresh from a win at Arsenal, says the club are scouting Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi and Joaquin Seys to plug gaps after INEOS failed to secure a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee and a backup for left‑back Luke Shaw over the summer.

Striker shortage fuels pursuit

United legend Wayne Rooney said Carrick had been “left short” after INEOS failed to sign a better striker to replace Joshua Zirkzee. Rooney added that the left‑back position is a “big concern” and that United’s transfer failings will make it hard to compete in the Champions League. United rejected a deadline‑day approach from Everton for Zirkzee because they lacked time to find a suitable replacement.

On Tuesday Utd and Tottenham officials travelled to Club Brugge’s 3‑2 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Champions League, where they watched Tresoldi. The forward scored a penalty, continuing his strong start to the season. He has five goals in seven matches this campaign and 23 in 58 appearances last term.

United are believed to need to offer €50m (£43m) for Tresoldi. They could open talks in January if they decide to offload Zirkzee.

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Left‑back dilemma persists

United’s delegation also used the trip to continue work on left‑back Joaquin Seys, who Club Brugge may sell for €35m (£30m). Any move for Seys would be next summer as United do not plan to sign a left‑back in January. Lewis Hall, United’s top target for the position, has signed a new contract with Newcastle.

INEOS have also looked at Jean‑Philippe Mateta and Igor Matanovic. Serie A clubs Juventus, Napoli and Como have shown interest in Zirkzee. United’s failure to secure a striker leaves them reliant on Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

Former Red Devils captain Paul Scholes urged Carrick to stop playing Cunha as a No 9, calling the team’s centre‑forward play “timid”. He said United lack a true No 9 and it is difficult to watch the side without one.

United’s next steps hinge on whether they can move for Tresoldi in the January window and whether Seys can be secured next summer, while the club remains aware that their current squad may struggle in the Champions League without a proper striker and backup left‑back.