Why Calvert-Lewin?

Calvert-Lewin is unemployed.

In a summer when the Old Trafford club have made the search for a world-class striker a top priority, Calvert-Lewin's name raises more questions than answers. And if the deal does go through, it will be a true reflection of how Ineos - the group that has taken over football operations at Man United - shapes the club's transfer strategy.

The gap in attack and the haunting from last season

Man United finished the 2024/25 season with just 44 Premier League goals - their worst return in nearly half a century. It's not just a sad statistic, but a clear sign of a team lacking vitality, lacking explosiveness and most importantly: lacking a true striker.

Rasmus Hojlund, while promising, is more of a long-term project than a quick fix, so it’s understandable that the club would look to add an experienced striker. However, Calvert-Lewin – with just three goals last season and a series of persistent injuries – is a question mark.

At 28, Calvert-Lewin should be at the peak of his career. But instead of progressing, he has stagnated, even showing signs of regressing. Released by Everton after a disappointing season, the English striker is no longer the version that once made Premier League defenses fear him. For Man United to see him as a potential target is nothing more than a step backwards, or worse, a "fire-fighting" decision in a tight market.

And that's what worries fans: if Calvert-Lewin is the poster child for Ineos' transfer plans, then where do their ambitions really lie?

Calvert-Lewin has been plagued by injuries recently.

Under Ineos, United have pledged not to spend money as recklessly as in previous years. Compliance with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations is a must, especially as the club has yet to make any money from player sales. Caution is needed – especially as they aim for a more sustainable model.

However, that caution is in danger of turning into passivity. While rivals like Arsenal are closing in on Viktor Gyokeres – a powerful and effective striker – Man United are still struggling with a list of unconvincing options. Names like Victor Osimhen or Hugo Ekitike, while promising, have high prices and are unlikely to be interested in the prospect of playing for a team in transition.

When Expectations Meet Reality

It can be said that Ineos is having to solve a problem with too many variables: financial limits, the quality of the current squad, the attraction of Man United in the eyes of the stars, and the huge pressure from the fans. The inability to activate a truly "big" deal in the attack has caused anxiety to spread, especially when the pre-season has begun and the new season is less than two months away.

Calvert-Lewin, if signed, would not be the cause of the problem – but the most obvious manifestation of it. A safe, cheap option that would fill the squad, but not bring excitement or innovation. And in the fiercely competitive Premier League, such “temporary solutions” often fail to deliver lasting results.

Calvert-Lewin is not highly regarded by experts.

Manchester United fans have every right to expect big deals, game-changing signings. But the reality is that the club is restructuring from the ground up, and in the process, it may have to accept less glamorous decisions. The question is: are these decisions strategic steps in a long-term plan, or just hasty patchwork due to lack of options?

If Calvert-Lewin does arrive at Old Trafford, it will be more than just a signing – it will be a silent statement of how Ineos is reorienting United. And as such, it deserves to be seen as the first – and crucial – test of the Red Devils’ rebuilding ambitions.

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-la-calvert-lewin-post1567023.html