Could Dusan Vlahovic Be the Goal Machine Man Utd Desperately Needs?
Manchester United invested more than £200 million ($265.9 million) in offensive talent during the recent summer window, yet they continue to be associated with additional forward acquisitions.
The acquisitions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško consumed most of United's transfer funds and created squad imbalance as a consequence. While they've shown improved sharpness in attack, they remain worryingly vulnerable in other areas.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils are allegedly keen on adding more firepower to their attacking ranks. Given the questions surrounding Joshua Zirkzee's future, United are believed to be monitoring Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović for a potential bargain price of approximately £13 million, as the Serbian international's deal runs out next summer.
Should Zirkzee exit in January, United would be short on quality options at the striker position. Šeško is starting to settle at Old Trafford, but the young Slovenian cannot rescue the Red Devils on his own.
Therefore, could Vlahović address Ruben Amorim's concerns?
What Would Dušan Vlahović Bring to Man Utd?
Vlahović entered Italian football with minimal experience, but after an initial adjustment phase, he discovered his potential at Fiorentina. The 6'3 striker found his rhythm in 2020–21 when he scored 21 times across 40 matches for the Viola, then followed with 20 goals in his initial 24 appearances in purple the following season before moving to Juventus in January 2022.
Regarded as one of European football's most promising talents, Vlahović was anticipated to smoothly transition to Turin life, but instead experienced a subdued start with the Old Lady. The 25-year-old has struggled to convince managers and fans since then, despite his reasonably solid scoring record.
Vlahović found the net nine times during his debut half-season at Juve and has accumulated 47 goals over the following three complete seasons—certainly not a poor return. The striker's playing time has been restricted this campaign, yet he's still delivered four goals from substitute appearances for Juve, including an outstanding cameo featuring two goals and one assist in the 4–4 Champions League stalemate with Borussia Dortmund.
The Juve attacker has demonstrated reliable goal production despite not always being Turin's most favored player, with steady—though not extraordinary—scoring being a valuable trait for a club like United. The Red Devils lack ruthless finishers and their new attacking setup focuses more on creativity than finishing prowess.
Vlahović will never achieve Erling Haaland-like statistics, but his solid build, notable physicality and scoring instinct could certainly benefit Old Trafford, even if he lacks the refinement of elite forwards worldwide.
Though not a technically gifted versatile player, he could offer essential quality depth for Amorim.
How Dušan Vlahović Compares to Man Utd's Other Strikers?
Among United's 2024–25 roster, only Bruno Fernandes surpassed Vlahović's goal tally across all competitions last season. Of the forwards remaining at Old Trafford, Amad Diallo achieved 11 goals while the increasingly discontented Zirkzee managed just seven.
Thankfully for United, all three summer forward signings exceeded the Juve striker's output last season, and although Vlahović's 2024–25 statistics surpass Zirkzee's, they fall short compared to Šeško's performance.
The 22-year-old, who has now found the net in consecutive United matches, recorded 11 additional goal contributions compared to Vlahović, while also displaying superior goals-per-game ratio, shot accuracy percentage and conversion rate than the Serbian striker.
Vlahović showed marginally more creativity, with better pass completion rates and higher shot and goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, but he was less impactful defensively, offering minimal protection to Juve's midfield and losing more individual battles than Šeško.
Vlahović would offer useful competition for Šeško, but he would have minimal opportunity to displace the former RB Leipzig striker. He would need to accept substitute appearances, particularly if United miss out on European qualification next season.
Should Man Utd Sign Dušan Vlahović?
During a time when United are trying to correct their terrible recruitment strategy from the past decade, Vlahović represents an unnecessary risk. Naturally, if Zirkzee departs Old Trafford then a replacement would be needed, but Vlahović isn't necessarily the correct option.
While a 'discount' price might prove highly attractive for the Red Devils, who have consistently shown poor discipline in transfer dealings, Vlahović would constitute a lateral move. He lacks sufficient clinical finishing, doesn't possess the technical abilities needed to excel in the Premier League and has already faltered under pressure at one of Europe's top clubs.
When considering his enormous salary—he allegedly earns approximately £368,000 weekly, exceeding any other Serie A player—Vlahović could become another poor acquisition that United would eventually find difficult to offload once he's overstayed his usefulness.
United must be more intelligent with their recruitment going forward. Vlahović is not an intelligent signing.