Manchester United’s pursuit of striking excellence has long been a story of near-misses, bold gambles, and the relentless search for the next superstar. As the 2025/26 season unfolds, the club finds itself at a crossroads—balancing the wisdom of past lessons with the promise of tomorrow’s talent. The latest developments in the INEOS multi-club network, which now encompasses Manchester United, OGC Nice, and FC Lausanne-Sport, have set the stage for a new chapter in this ongoing saga.
On January 11, 2026, FC Lausanne-Sport, the Swiss Super League’s rising force, officially announced the signing of Spanish international striker Omar Janneh Susso from Atlético Madrid. The 19-year-old forward, whose reputation as a clinical finisher precedes him, has inked a long-term contract that runs until June 30, 2030. Janneh’s journey has been anything but ordinary—honing his craft at Espanyol and Granada before making the leap to Atlético Madrid in 2022. By 2023, he was already dominating the UEFA Youth League, notching six goals in just eight matches and catching the eye of scouts across Europe.
This move is more than just a transfer; it’s a testament to the growing influence of the INEOS pathway. Under the stewardship of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who secured a 28.94% stake in Manchester United, the club has become the centerpiece of a sophisticated talent pipeline. This multi-club ecosystem is designed to circulate elite prospects through varying tiers of European football, maximizing both their development and the clubs’ competitive edge. OGC Nice currently sits fourth in Ligue 1, boasting one of France’s stingiest defenses, while FC Lausanne-Sport continues to serve as the group’s primary developmental laboratory.
For Manchester United supporters, the arrival of Janneh at Lausanne-Sport is a tantalizing prospect. The road from the Stade de la Tuilière to the Theatre of Dreams has never been shorter, and under the INEOS umbrella, the possibility of seeing Janneh in a United shirt someday feels more realistic than ever. His adaptation to the Swiss top flight will be closely monitored, with the expectation that he will eventually assume a marquee role in Lausanne’s sporting project before potentially making the leap to Old Trafford.
But while the future looks bright, the present is still haunted by memories of what might have been. The post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United is littered with ‘what if’ moments, none more glaring than the club’s decision not to pursue Erling Haaland when he was still a burgeoning talent at Molde. Now 25, Haaland has become the world’s preeminent number nine, amassing a staggering 150 goals in 173 games for Manchester City and another 86 in 89 games for Borussia Dortmund. His ability to rise to the occasion—especially against United, whom he has scored against eight times in just nine meetings—serves as a constant reminder of a missed opportunity.
The backstory is well-documented. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United’s 1999 hero and former Molde boss, recognized Haaland’s talent early on and urged the club to sign him. “By the time I came in as caretaker, we [Molde] had sold him to Salzburg. I tell the club straight away: ‘Buy him.’ He had a release clause. No-one else then would have paid that money. It was 20m euros and it would have been a bargain. It was the club’s decision to not go for him then,” Solskjaer recalled. The cost? A mere £17 million—a pittance compared to Haaland’s current value and impact.
Fast forward to today, and Solskjaer is once again at the center of United’s plans. As of January 11, 2026, he is the frontrunner to replace Ruben Amorim as interim manager, with a crucial Manchester derby looming next weekend. The Norwegian’s track record against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is encouraging—he famously did the double over the Catalan coach in the 2019/20 Premier League season—but that was before Haaland’s arrival at City in 2022. Now, Solskjaer faces the daunting task of neutralizing his compatriot, who scored twice in the reverse fixture at the Etihad earlier this season.
Yet, there is optimism at Old Trafford, fueled by a new generation of striking talent. Summer signing Benjamin Sesko, just 22, recently bagged a brace against Burnley, offering hope that United’s attacking woes may be easing. But it’s not just Sesko drawing attention—Danish teenager Chido Obi, signed from Arsenal in 2024 after a remarkable 32 goals in 21 U18 games, is widely regarded as a “goal machine.” Though Obi has yet to find the net in his eight senior appearances for United, his potential has been lauded by analysts and scouts alike. Ben Mattinson described him as a “goal machine,” while Jacek Kulig went even further, labeling him a “10/10 talent.”
Obi’s journey at United has not been without its challenges. He was namechecked by former manager Ruben Amorim as one of the academy players who had struggled of late—a comment that reportedly did not sit well with the United hierarchy or Obi himself. Nevertheless, with Solskjaer’s well-known willingness to trust youth, the door is open for Obi to stake his claim in the first team. The Norwegian coach’s history with young strikers is well established; after all, it was under his guidance at Molde that Haaland scored 20 goals in 50 games, setting the stage for his meteoric rise.
As United prepares for the derby against Manchester City, all eyes will be on Solskjaer’s tactical approach and his selection decisions. Will he turn to Obi, the teenage prodigy, in search of a breakthrough? Or will Sesko continue to lead the line after his recent heroics? The club’s striking options remain limited outside of Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee, making the case for Obi’s inclusion all the more compelling.
Meanwhile, the broader INEOS project continues to reshape the landscape of European football recruitment. With Janneh now part of the Lausanne-Sport setup, the multi-club network is proving its worth as a breeding ground for elite talent. Manchester United’s position—seventh in the Premier League as of the current campaign—underscores the need for fresh faces and renewed ambition. The lessons of the past, particularly the Haaland saga, loom large, but the promise of Janneh, Obi, and other young stars offers hope for a brighter future.
As the season progresses, United fans will watch closely to see if Solskjaer can work his magic once again—this time with a new crop of potential world-beaters. Whether it’s on the pitch in Manchester, the training grounds of Lausanne, or the bustling streets of Nice, the quest for the next great striker is very much alive. And who knows? The next Haaland might just be waiting in the wings, ready to seize his moment.
