Down The Wings

Manchester United Fan Blog

Manchester United have a striker problem – Weekly Takeaway

Manchester United are desperate for an experienced out-and-out number nine, which has been glaringly obvious since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November 2022. Despite bringing in Joshua Zirkzee to bolster the attacking options in the squad, many United fans felt that an experienced striker was vital for the club to be successful this season, and after five league games, they have been proven right.

Saturday’s stalemate at Selhurst Park was another frustrating watch as United should probably have gone into the break at least three goals up, after hitting the woodwork twice in the first half and having multiple chances saved by former United keeper, Dean Henderson.

The five big chances missed against Crystal Palace took United’s total number of big chances missed this season to 17, which is five more than any other side. The goalless draw showed fans that we are still missing a clinical striker, as the wide options do not provide enough output when it comes to goals and assists.

United finished the 2023/24 season with 57 goals in the league, the joint-lowest of the top half of the Premier League table, and the club’s top scorers in the league were Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund with ten goals, so it should have been clear that something needed to be done in order to resolve that issue.

The addition of Zirkzee has been handy for the way United have wanted to play so far this season, and despite only having one goal since signing for the club, his performances have shown United fans what he can offer in the long run. In spite of this, Zirkzee’s goal record shows that he is far from a prolific goalscorer, only managing 13 goals in around 60 matches for Bologna in Seria A.

A promising profile added to the squad, and an undoubtedly talented footballer, but maybe not the talisman the club needs at this time.

United play better football with Zirkzee on the pitch, but clearly lack a goalscorer, so ignoring the need for an experienced number nine to accompany Hojlund has already proven to be a mistake. Although it is early days in the season, 12 sides have scored more than United’s five league goals so far, which could be a sign of what is to come for the remainder of the season.

It is perhaps unfair to blame the board for not bringing in another attacking option, as United not only had financial troubles, after having major concerns over whether they would meet the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) but also had a lot of issues that needed addressing elsewhere in a poor squad, leaving them with limited funds for further signings.

Ivan Toney ended up being available for a relatively low fee in comparison to what he was believed to have been valued at by Brentford, but the money available clearly did not stretch far enough to be able to make a move for the Englishman, otherwise, maybe they would have. Only time will tell whether United will regret their recent decisions in the transfer market, but if the first five league games are anything to go by, it could be another extremely frustrating season in front of goal for United.

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