Goldbridge slams Man United striker links including Calvert-Lewin | OneFootball

Man United’s Striker Search Hits Rock Bottom: Calvert-Lewin and Company Offered as Options

Manchester United’s summer transfer saga has taken yet another worrying turn, and fans are growing increasingly concerned about the club’s direction. In the latest episode of The United Stand, Mark Goldbridge delivered a passionate and unfiltered breakdown of United’s current striker situation, revealing that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson, and Jamie Vardy have been offered to the club — a development that has sparked disbelief and dismay among supporters.

Free Agent Roulette

Referencing a report from The Athletic, Goldbridge confirmed, “Several free agents have been offered to Manchester United as striker options as well. Calvert-Lewin, Jamie Vardy, Callum Wilson have all been offered.” His reaction was one of near-total exasperation, asking rhetorically, “Who do they think we are? Maidstone United? Macclesfield Town? Bloody hell.”

The mere mention of these names, particularly Calvert-Lewin, drew sharp criticism. Goldbridge refused to even entertain the idea of picking one out of the trio, insisting, “The minute you do, you become a Glazer. I’m not accepting it. It’s repulsive. It’s disgusting. It’s an absolute joke to go anywhere near any of those three players.”

He singled out Calvert-Lewin and Wilson for their fitness records, remarking, “If you’re sponsored by BUPA or you’ve got plenty of hospital beds or you want to get a friend for Luke Shaw, take your pick. But they’re both absolutely injury-prone.”

Transfer Window Mismanagement

The conversation around United’s pursuit of strikers stretched beyond just the names being offered. Goldbridge lamented the club’s broader failure to secure top targets, noting, “We didn’t get Delap, we didn’t get Gyökeres, we’re not getting Osimhen, we can’t afford Šeško or Ekitiké.”

This has left United in an increasingly desperate state. Goldbridge acknowledged the bleak reality: “Whoever we get is going to be, at best, a divider. Some people will go, it’s okay. Some people will say it’s a load of rubbish. That’s what I’m sort of attuned to now.”

Why Calvert-Lewin Doesn’t Fit

Despite his name being floated, Calvert-Lewin received no defence from the host. His injury history, lack of consistent form, and uninspiring ceiling all drew fire from Goldbridge. It’s a sentiment that seems to resonate with much of the fanbase, particularly when compared to the standards expected at a club of United’s stature.

Goldbridge offered a cutting analogy to describe United’s recruitment process: “We go and get mediocre people, don’t give them an apprenticeship and throw them straight in.” He added, “That’s meant to be Manchester United Football Club with all the millions of pounds that are swishing around?”

No Clear Plan, No Clear Vision

The podcast made clear that optimism is in short supply. With targets missed and the preseason underway, United appear no closer to finding a reliable number nine. Goldbridge summed it up plainly: “It is the 8th of July. Whoever we go for won’t be here for the tour. It’s a double-edged sword really, isn’t it? The striker we’re going for is going to be plan D, E or F, and they’re not going to get a pre-season.”

He concluded with a chilling thought for supporters clinging to hope: “Whoever we sign as a striker, it’s not going to be exciting. It’s going to be a risk. We’ve clearly messed it up.”

For those dreaming of marquee signings and Champions League ambitions, the idea of Calvert-Lewin donning a Manchester United shirt feels less like a fresh start and more like a painful reminder of how far the club has drifted from its elite status.