It’s now or never for Victor Musa to break through at Manchester United

Manchester United are light on strikers, and there are not a lot of immediate solutions. Victor Musa could be one.

Benjamin Sesko is out with an injury problem that could rule him out until January. And even then there is no guarantee he won’t suffer another relapse.

United’s failure to sign cover for Sesko was a critical mistake, and one that the club could address in the January transfer window.

But what about the months of November and December? Are there any academy strikers who could step up? The club sanctioned three academy striker exits in the summer, which limits the options.

• Chido Obi:

  Loaned to Willem II

• Gabriele Biancheri:

  Sold to Wacker Innsbruck

• Louie Bradbury:

  Sold to Stoke City’s academy

Victor Musa is next man up

While attacking midfielder Amir Ibragimov has been playing as a striker for the under-21s, a more likely solution could be Victor Musa.

Musa, 20, went on the first team’s training camp in Ireland earlier this year, although did not get a look-in during pre-season.

Musa has rarely been regarded as a truly elite prospect at United, but he has proven during his academy stint that he knows where the net is.

He has scored two under-21 goals in three appearances this season, and was also reported to have scored a brace in the recent friendly with Lausanne.

In April 2025, Musa hit the headlines by scoring a double-hat-trick, netting six goals in a 13-1 demolition of Leeds’ under-18s side.

He also has another hat-trick and five separate braces to his name from his time playing for United’s academy sides.

United turned down loan offer

Manchester United turned down a loan enquiry for Musa in the transfer window from League One side Bromley. Musa has never been on loan, and the opportunity might have been good for him.

Does Michael Carrick view Musa as an emergency back-up striker?

If that’s the case, then the emergency is here now.

Manchester United do not have an available first team centre-forward on the books.

Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha can all play the role, but none of them are the archetypal striker. Wouldn’t it make more sense to select a player there who knows the position?

It’s now or never for Victor Musa at United. If he cannot break through now, then he never will.

Is he good enough? Everybody can have their opinions, but until you actually give him a chance, you never truly know.

Marcus Rashford was once in a similar situation. In 2016 he was well down the list of available striker options, but a series of injuries and loans for teammates bumped him up the queue. He took his chance and never looked back.

All Musa needs is an opportunity, and the role of the striker can be as simple as being in the right place at the right time.