Why boardroom politics mean £52m man’s Man U move could be more likely than it seems | OneFootball

Another week, another Premier League game where Christopher Nkunku (almost) didn’t get on the pitch.

This time it was against Arsenal, and once again the France star sat for 90 minutes watching, even as his team pushed for a winner against a weakened Gunners side. The desultory 2 minutes he finally played almost felt like an insult.

His recent run of league games have seen 12 minutes against Newcastle, none against Manchester United and 14 against Liverpool before his paltry 2 yesterday. He’s been questioned about it before, and always insists that he understands the tough decisions his manager is making. But 154 total minutes in the league by mid-November is not sufficient.

It’s especially difficult for Nkunku because he missed such major chunks of last season out injured. This was supposed to be his major return to form and a starring role at last in the Premier League, but instead he can’t get in the team.

Christopher Nkunku runs with the ball for France. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

Nkunku future in serious doubt as chances slip by

It’s totally understandable why he’d be linked with moves away from the club, and as time goes by we will have to start taking these more and more seriously. The latest links come from Teamtalk, who claim that Manchester United have “taken the first steps” towards signing the forward, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £52m.

If Chelsea’s sporting directors are happy with Maresca’s use of his forwards, then we can see them sanctioning a move. Nkunku’s age and quality mean he could still be sold without much of a loss, and it may be seen as preferable to get that operation done before he starts losing more value.

As a player apparently signed by erstwhile sporting director Christopher Vivell, there doesn’t seem to be much attachment from Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, so a move could be closer than some think.