FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 14: Andre Silva of Eintracht Frankfurt celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Koeln at Deutsche Bank Park on February 14, 2021 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
According to Sky Germany (h/t The Sun), Manchester United are keeping an eye on Andre Silva of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Portuguese forward is seen as a viable alternative for long-term target Erling Haaland.
The Red Devils have been impressed with Silva’s goal-scoring in Germany and the German side are said to be looking for around £26million for Silva.
Manchester United are enjoying a good season so far. They are behind only Manchester City in the league table and are looking to challenge for the title. In the last game against West Brom, with Bruno Fernandes’ strike, United became the first team to score 50 league goals this season.
While that should tell you that goals are not the problem for Solskjaer, there still remains the pressing issue of Anthony Martial and his inconsistency. Quite how a player can be this inconsistent is baffling. Martial’s league goals are as follows, starting from the 15/16 season – 11, 4, 9, 10, 17, 4* (h/t Transfermarkt).
Last season, it looked like Martial was finally going to deliver on his potential only for him to deceive us this season. 4 goals in 19 league games isn’t what you want from a striker of a side hoping to challenge for the league title.
The 25-year-old’s inconsistencies this season have led to Cavani being preferred as the starting forward in recent games. Despite turning 34 recently, Cavani still looks as sharp as his PSG days. He has outscored Martial this season, with fewer games under his belt. (Stats: Transfermarkt)
Clearly, Martial is too inconsistent to lead the line for Manchester United. On the other spectrum is Cavani. However, Cavani’s age means that he isn’t the long-term solution for Manchester United.
Silva burst onto the scene with Porto in 2016/17 with 21 goals and 8 assists to his name. His goal-scoring exploits made sure AC Milan splashed the cash on him. However, an underwhelming season in Italy would mean that a loan deal to Sevilla followed. Silva struggled there as well and failed to reach the heights he achieved at Porto.
It was only after his move to Eintracht Frankfurt that he resumed his rapid goalscoring again. He went on to hit 16 goals in his first season in Germany. This season, however, he has taken it to a whole new level. In just 20 league games, he has scored 18 goals so far.
On the up, Andre Silva looks like a good signing to replace Martial. He is just 25 and arguably entering his prime years as a forward, as his number show.
Also, he has started hitting good consistency levels over the last season and a half. With Cavani entering his twilight years and Martial showing no signs of scoring on a consistent basis, Manchester United should consider investing their money in Andre Silva.
Moreover, Solskjaer himself has urged his strikers to start firing, which shows that Manchester United need to change things up with regards to their No.9 position. Given Andre Silva has been in great form, Man United wouldn’t be wrong to consider signing him.