The centre-forward slot has change into a fair greater downside since, though not earlier than Cristiano Ronaldo’s short-lived return to Manchester United.
In truth, in 2022/23, Anthony Martial scored simply 9 targets in all competitions, together with simply six within the Premier League, whereas Wout Weghorst, who arrived from Burnley in January, scored simply two targets.
Within the following season, an injury-hit Martial solely scored twice in all competitions, whereas new signing Rasmus Heilund had 16 pictures on purpose, solely 10 of which got here within the league.
Hoylund scored 10 targets throughout all fronts final season, with simply 4 of these coming within the high flight. In the meantime, £36.5 million signing Joshua Zirkzee has scored seven targets, however solely three of these got here in league video games.
The reality is that United lack a dependable and confirmed goalscorer. The latest defeat towards Everton highlighted why Zirksee, the person who hasn’t scored within the league for nearly a 12 months, just isn’t the reply.
Newest info on Joshua Zirkzee’s future
Within the absence of Benjamin Sesco (who himself scored simply two targets following his £74m transfer from RB Leipzig), Zirksee, who had beforehand performed simply 90 minutes all season, was allowed to characteristic towards the Toffees.
Rusty or not, the Dutchman appeared woefully out of his depth at occasions in his first begin of the 2025/26 season, at odds with the sheer tempo and physicality of Premier League soccer.
There have been moments of high quality, together with two well-directed headers and an inviting cross throughout the field, however the 24-year-old was largely powerless towards the artful James Tarkowski, notably shedding the ball 12 occasions in simply 35 touches.
Given a uncommon alternative to shine, the previous Bologna participant revealed why he has been on the sidelines for a lot of the marketing campaign to date, elevating additional questions on his long-term future at Previous Trafford.
In truth, the most recent experiences counsel that the 6ft 4 thriller participant, who has been named Serie A’s Younger Participant of the Yr for the 2023/24 season, might have already stated sure to becoming a member of AS Roma in his first mortgage deal in January.
Amad and Brian Mbeumo’s upcoming participation in AFCON will additional restrict United’s attacking choices, however it will not be stunning to see Zirkzee go away after returning within the new 12 months, having scored seven targets in 55 video games for the membership, making issues powerful for any centre-forward.
The expertise is there, his nimble ft and fluid contact prompting comparisons to the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, however at United’s present interval of flux underneath supervisor Ruben Amorim, they’re in dire want of an absolute goalscorer.
Fortunately, INEOS already has a deal in place.
Might Manchester United’s ‘grown-up Osimhen’ exchange Zirksee?
With Sesco and Matheus Cunha sidelined, it was clear how little United’s attacking depth was, with Amorim having Mason Mount, the one actual senior ahead, to depend on on the bench.
Manchester United goalscorers – 25/26 | |
|---|---|
participant | file |
Brian Mbeumo | 6 |
Casemiro | 3 |
Bruno Fernandes | 2 |
Benjamin Sesco | 2 |
harry maguire | 1 |
Matthijs de Ligt | 1 |
mason mount | 1 |
Amado | 1 |
Matheus Cunha | 1 |
Statistics by way of Transfermarkt | |
Star 18-year-old Shea Lacey was named within the match-day squad, however the resolution to disregard academy colleague Chido Obi and finally let Zirkzee play the complete 90 minutes raised some eyebrows.
Obi was parachuted into the first-team set-up in a drastic transfer throughout United’s damage disaster final season, and made a complete of eight appearances for the first-team in 2024/25, albeit with no purpose.
Frustratingly for the 17-year-old, who scored within the post-season tour towards Hong Kong, he has not featured for the primary group since and Amorim prompt final season’s promotion might have come “too quickly”.
“He (Chido) performed final 12 months too, however I believe it was too early,” Amorim stated final week. “We did not have a group that might put a younger 16-year-old child in there with out giving him a tough time.
“He is one of many higher gamers, however he began too early. Generally it is laborious for youths to take care of that as a result of they assume, ‘I am already right here.’ Now we have to watch out about that.”
There is not any denying that Obi appeared uncooked, particularly in his lone begin towards Brentford, however he additionally confirmed glimpses of his plain expertise as he almost scored from an angle within the FA Cup match towards Fulham at Previous Trafford.
The free-scoring ahead, signed from Arsenal in the summertime of 2024, has been very lively at youth stage lately, scoring 32 targets in simply 21 Beneath-18 video games for the Gunners and 12 targets in 10 Beneath-18 video games for United, in accordance with Transfermarkt.
With 5 targets in 13 video games within the above age group this season, Obi has as soon as once more proven why he deserves a second probability underneath Amorim, and {the teenager} is a legit centre-forward choice that does not swimsuit Zirksee.
The Danish youth worldwide, described by Arsenal content material creator Will Balsam as “homegrown Osimhen”, might be the right alternative for Sesco somewhat than Zirkzee. Amorim’s construction requires extra agile and dynamic choices for working channels.
In fact, Amorim can be clever to be cautious about growing such expertise, however at a time when centre-forward signings have been unsuccessful, why not dip into Carrington once more?
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