I just can't decide is Nunez is good enough or not. When I watch him play I get Van Nistelrooy vibes about him, in that he is just a natural goalscorer, tremendous in the air, a physical presence; but watching so many of his highlight videos (a fraught experience to judge a player) you see that so many of his goals this season came because of shocking keeping or defending. Which makes me nervous he could badly flop. That said, his performance against Liverpool gave me hope that he has what it takes. He's going to cost an absolute wedge.
All that said, ETH is going to have to get the best out of players he already has, there is no other way, unless the club has a billion to invest in new players (it doesn't). So if he can get Rashford and Sancho on form and playing well in a system, those two flanking Nunez or Ronaldo, could be a fearsome front line. Whether we like it or not, a lot of our season next year is going to depend on ETH getting Rashford back to his best, because without him we just don't have enough options or enough cash to make up the deficit. On the plus side I can't imagine a better coach for Rashford than ETH. One who demands 100%, excellence, full focus on football, work rate, and one who is committed to attacking football with a lot of instructions and structure. I think the worst thing to happen to Rashford was to play in a system under Ole, and previously Mourinho, where individual excellence and moments of magic were relied upon for attacking output. He became a highlights reel player, and then just a shell of what he was. Having watched Marcus since his youth days, there is a real player in there, we've seen it. a player who would run his socks off for the team, had electric pace, and a fearlessness. He just hasn't developed at all these last few years. Compare that with Rooney who arrived with the same sort of fearlessness and virtuoso flair, and how Fergie molded him into the quintessential team player, carrying out specific instructions and often sacrificing himself for the team. Rashford would have been superb under Fergie. I hope ETH can do something similar. I just don't know if it's already too late. Those years 20-24 are so key to players forming a footballing identity, and now in the modern game you also have to struggle with their profile. Marcus has achieved huge fame, and has a sort of "I'm the next Ronaldo" vibe about the way he plays the game, without having the performances to back it up. Whether that mentality can be turned around is anyone's guess. None of us know what's happening behind the scenes.
I think what I am saying, in a very long winded way, is that Nunez can probably be a big success in a well functioning team, but won't make much difference in a team where the other parts aren't functioning correctly. ETH must believe he can get a song out of the supporting cast, to be pursuing a player like Darwin.
