Manchester United’s ongoing struggles in front of goal this season have led to increased speculation about potential attacking reinforcements. Among the most surprising names being mentioned is Darwin Núñez of Liverpool.
Despite the shock value of such a rumor, the reasoning behind it stems from Núñez’s profile and United’s urgent need for attacking firepower.
However, a closer look reveals that this potential transfer poses numerous challenges — both practical and strategic — that make it highly unlikely to happen.
United’s interest in Núñez isn’t entirely baseless. The 25-year-old Uruguayan forward boasts outstanding physical attributes: pace, strength, a high work rate, and an ability to stretch defenses — qualities that might complement manager Rúben Amorim’s preferred high-tempo, counter-attacking style.
Amorim values intensity and vertical movement in his teams, and Núñez’s direct style could theoretically fit within that framework.
In fact, Manchester United had previously shown interest in signing him when he was still at Benfica before Liverpool secured his services in 2022.
Despite these potential tactical benefits, a deal between Liverpool and Manchester United remains extremely unlikely for several key reasons. First and foremost, transfers between these two historic rivals are practically unheard of.
The last direct move between them was Phil Chisnall’s transfer from United to Liverpool in 1964 — over six decades ago.
The deep-seated rivalry and intense competition between the two clubs make any player exchange or sale virtually impossible, especially one involving a high-profile forward.
Liverpool’s current stance on Núñez further complicates matters.
Although he has struggled to find consistent form under new manager Arne Slot — scoring just two goals in 15 league appearances and starting only seven matches — the club is not expected to offload him to a direct competitor, especially in the middle of the season.
Additionally, selling Núñez to United would risk backlash from their supporters and indicate a lack of long-term belief in a player they invested heavily in just two years ago.
From United’s perspective, taking a gamble on Núñez could backfire. His form in the Premier League has been erratic, and his confidence appears shaken.
Given United’s limited budget, they can’t afford another expensive and inconsistent attacker — similar to what they’ve endured with Antony. Instead, the club should focus on more realistic and consistent alternatives to fix their attacking issues.
Potential targets like Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna, Brian Brobbey from Ajax, Ivan Toney of Brentford, or even Victor Osimhen from Napoli offer more certainty in terms of output and availability.
These players come with fewer complications and could immediately address the Red Devils’ lack of consistent goal-scoring.
