Finding a reference scorer who will win the matches that matter. Manchester United has been chasing this for years, but has not played the right card. Although they tried to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo, the Cavani or Weghorst moves, they have not got their hands on a striker with 30 goals per season in the Premier League. The choice was therefore to bet on the young Rasmus Höjlund last season, recruited for a check of €75 million + €10 million in bonuses from Atalanta Bergamo.
Not a great success, even if the Dane has sometimes shown good things. So, Manchester United took out the checkbook to recruit Joshua Zirkzee, another revelation of Serie A, with Bologna, for a total of €42.5 million. Enough to fill this position? Less than a week before the Community Shield, against Manchester City, nothing is less certain. Höjlund is injured for 6 weeks and will miss the start of the season.
Zirkzee not ready yet
Zirkzee, meanwhile, returned to training later because of his participation in Euro 2024. And coach Erik Ten Hag is already asking for patience with him… “Of course, Joshua Zirkzee is coming, he has started training, but you also have to consider that he has not been here for a long time in training, so it will take time, and he has to adapt to English football and the way we play as well.”he commented. We have known more optimistic people to welcome a player.
So MU is forced to play with Jadon Sancho, previously exfiltrated to Borussia Dortmund, in a number 9 role. “It’s an option”said Ten Hag, after the 3-0 friendly defeat in the United States against Liverpool. A match during which Sancho missed a great opportunity with his header. The Dutch coach even says he is ready to line up Bruno Fernandes as a false 9. Rather than the enigma Marcus Rashford, whom Ten Hag prefers to see on the left side. “I think he’s more productive on the left, starting on the side and getting into the middle.” As a result, there is no central attacker to start the season. And that is a stain.
