Louis Saha remains a beloved figure among Manchester United fans, having left a lasting impression during his four-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford. Despite being hampered by recurring injuries, the French striker made 124 appearances, scored 42 goals, and provided 15 assists, playing a pivotal role in helping the club secure two Premier League titles. While he wasn’t the most prolific finisher, netting roughly once every three matches, his overall contribution went far beyond just goals. Saha’s intelligent movement, ability to stretch defences, and knack for unsettling opponents earned him praise from the likes of Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand, who both highlighted how difficult he was to mark and how important his off-the-ball work was to United’s attack.
In the current transfer window, manager Ruben Amorim could be on the verge of signing a modern version of Saha to bolster United’s frontline. The club has made securing attacking reinforcements a priority and is pushing hard to land Bryan Mbeumo, whose name has been circulating among fans all summer. The Cameroonian winger had a sensational 2024/25 season, racking up 20 goals – the best tally of his career. United recently submitted a third offer for him, reportedly a £65 million guaranteed fee plus £5 million in add-ons, suggesting that negotiations with Brentford are nearing a conclusion.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea has also emerged as a serious target. Reports indicate that United’s technical director Jason Wilcox has been in talks over a potential deal for the 23-year-old Senegalese forward. Jackson impressed last season with 13 goals across all competitions and is known for his pace, directness, and ability to consistently get into dangerous areas. His average of 6.2 touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes, coupled with 1.4 shots on target and 1.2 dribbles per match, demonstrates a player who’s constantly threatening. He’s also capable of creating chances – averaging 1.2 per game – making him a versatile asset for Amorim’s system.
Ferdinand has likened Jackson’s playing style to that of Saha, citing the same explosiveness and unrelenting movement that once made the Frenchman so effective at Old Trafford. While Jackson’s finishing may still need refining – with only 24 league goals across the past two seasons – his presence on the pitch and ability to combine with creative players like Mbeumo could be transformative.
Should both players arrive, they may provide the firepower and flair United desperately lacked last season, where the team managed just 44 goals in 38 league games. Jackson’s constant movement and Mbeumo’s delivery from wide areas could prove a lethal combination, especially in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup. However, Chelsea’s asking price of £100 million for Jackson remains a sticking point, and it will likely require some serious negotiation to get the deal over the line.
Still, if United manage to secure both players, they could finally have the attacking duo capable of bringing back the kind of forward threat not seen since Saha’s heyday.
