In June 2025, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes issued a direct message to new manager Ruben Amorim: secure Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray and Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, backing them as experienced, high‑quality strike partners for Rasmus ojlund.
Scholes Urged United to Sign Osimhen and Gyokeres – But Both Went Elsewhere
Instead, both targets slipped through United’s fingers heading to different paths entirely.
“Get Osimhen and Gyokeres,” Scholes declared on The Overlap, urging United to bolster a struggling attack with proven goal‑getters.
He argued that around Hojlund, guidance and experience could rekindle confidence in the young Dane.
Yet neither came to fruition. Osimhen, on loan at Galatasaray, enjoyed a sensational season capped by winning the Turkish Cup (a 3‑0 final victory in May) and netting the league’s top scorer title. Galatasaray succeeded in extending his stay, refusing to part ways this summer.
Meanwhile, Gyokeres became the subject of a high-profile transfer saga. Arsenal stepped up dramatically outbidding United and everyone else.
As of late July, the deal has reached advanced stages: a base fee around £54.6 million plus add-ons, totaling close to £63–64 million. Gyokeres arrived in London, underwent a medical, and is poised to soon don Arsenal’s iconic No. 14 shirt.
The deal has even sparked emotional scenes, with the player reportedly refusing to return to Sporting and his family deeply affected by the drawn-out negotiations.
United’s failure to secure either target leaves them in a precarious position. With Hojlund still finding his feet, Bryan Mbeumo’s addition hasn’t filled the clinical hunger scouts demanded.
Options are narrowing but names like Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson, Ollie Watkins, and free agent Dominic Calvert‑Lewin still circulate in transfer gossip.
Still, Sesko is emerging as one of United’s most realistic targets assuming they can compete financially. With time ticking, the need for a proven scorer is more urgent than ever.
