Manchester United split over signing La Liga striker | OneFootball

Man Utd reject move as Amorim pushes for Barcelona striker signing

Amorim’s pursuit of experience meets club resistance

Manchester United’s new era under Ruben Amorim has been defined by energy, youth and structure. Yet, according to Metro, Amorim’s latest request has exposed the delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism at Old Trafford. The Portuguese coach is reportedly eager to sign Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski when his contract expires next summer, believing the veteran could have a “positive impact” on both performance and dressing-room culture.

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Lewandowski’s pedigree needs no introduction. Over a decade of relentless consistency has produced numbers that border on the absurd: 344 goals in 375 appearances for Bayern Munich, eight consecutive Bundesliga titles and more than 100 goals for Barcelona since moving to La Liga. Even at 37, his movement, intelligence and finishing remain elite.

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For Amorim, the idea is simple. “He could bring leadership, professionalism and still score goals in the Premier League,” a United source reportedly told Metro. The manager sees the Pole as a short-term solution and an on-pitch mentor for his young attacking core.

United’s hesitation rooted in past mistakes

However, the club’s hierarchy has taken a different view. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, according to reports, has ruled out any approach, wary of “repeating mistakes of the past” when it comes to ageing stars. That phrase will resonate with supporters who remember the expensive, short-lived arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Edinson Cavani and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

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Even the £70m signing of Casemiro, once heralded as a coup, has raised questions about longevity and value. United’s wage bill remains among the highest in Europe, and Lewandowski’s salary of over £400,000 per week would strain a budget already under pressure.

The context is important. Amorim has overseen an improved attacking output this season, but much of that success has come from Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha rather than £74m striker Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian, signed from RB Leipzig, has struggled to adapt and scored just twice so far. That inconsistency has prompted the manager’s desire for a proven goalscorer.

Striker situation remains fluid

Reports also suggest that United could entertain offers for Joshua Zirkzee in January, further complicating the picture. Zirkzee, once Lewandowski’s teammate at Bayern Munich, was recently praised by the Polish forward. “He plays amazing with his back to goal, he can hold the ball, he can play with one or two touches and bring the wingers behind his back,” Lewandowski said in an interview with Rio Ferdinand Presents.

“He’s young but he’s big and I think he can keep the ball, hold the ball very, very strong,” he added. “Of course, he needs a little bit of time. It’s normal if you join this kind of club, a big club, with huge expectations.”

Amorim’s faith in youth contrasts with his admiration for experience, and that duality defines the tension at United today. The team’s rebuild is still fragile, its identity still forming. Lewandowski’s arrival would symbolise ambition but also risk, a move that could stabilise the squad or disrupt its rhythm entirely.

Wider implications for Manchester United’s rebuild

Ultimately, United’s decision reflects a philosophical shift. Ratcliffe’s influence has introduced stricter financial discipline and a longer-term vision focused on sustainability rather than marquee signings. Bringing in a 37-year-old striker on a huge wage package simply does not fit that model.

Still, there is something undeniably tempting about the idea. A player who has conquered the Bundesliga and La Liga leading United’s line for one last hurrah would carry a romantic appeal. Yet romance rarely guides modern recruitment. As Lewandowski nurses an injury and watches Real Madrid stretch their La Liga lead after a 2-1 El Clasico defeat, Amorim may need to look elsewhere for the blend of inspiration and reliability he craves.

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For Manchester United fans, this report triggers mixed emotions. On one hand, the thought of Lewandowski in a United shirt is thrilling, a serial winner with an aura few players can match. For a side still rediscovering its attacking identity, his presence could lift standards and mentor young strikers like Sesko or Zirkzee. Supporters will understand why Amorim is drawn to that idea.

Yet, many will also feel a familiar unease. United have been here before, paying enormous wages to ageing stars in the hope of a quick fix. Those signings often disrupted balance rather than building it. Ratcliffe’s decision to reject such moves feels like a necessary course correction after years of short-termism.

There is also the practical question of fit. Amorim’s high-pressing, energetic system demands relentless movement, and expecting a 37-year-old to lead that intensity every week might be unrealistic. Fans want to see a squad built for the future, not another nostalgic gesture.

Ultimately, United supporters crave progress rooted in purpose. While Lewandowski’s quality is beyond question, his signing would feel like a step backwards in philosophy. The club must focus on youth, cohesion and financial responsibility, values that promise lasting success, not fleeting headlines.