Why Calvert-Lewin?

Calvert-Lewin is unemployed.

In a summer when the Old Trafford club have made the search for a world-class centre-forward a 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 United’s football operations – shapes the club’s transfer strategy.

The gap in attack and the haunting from last season

Man United ended 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 spark and most importantly: lacking a true striker.

Rasmus Hojlund, while promising, is more of a long-term project than an immediate solution, 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 for many.

At 28, Calvert-Lewin should be at the peak of his career. But instead of progressing, he has stagnated, and even regressed. 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 consider him as a potential target is 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 boy 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 warranted – especially as they move towards a more sustainable model.

However, that caution is in danger of turning into passivity. While rivals such as Arsenal are closing in on Viktor Gyokeres - a powerful and effective striker - United are still struggling with a list of unconvincing options. Names such as Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike, while promising, are expensive and unlikely to be keen on 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 would not bring excitement or innovation. And in the fiercely competitive Premier League, such “temporary solutions” are unlikely to deliver lasting results.

Calvert-Lewin is not highly regarded by experts.

Manchester United fans have every right to expect big-money, game-changing signings. But the reality is that the club is rebuilding from the ground up, and in the process, it may have to make 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