Manchester United fell heavily by the wayside under Erik ten Hag, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before him; Jose Mourinho, previously, left hot under the collar after his progress unravelled like a spool of string in the wind.
Ruben Amorim has suffered a turbulent time at Old Trafford since replacing his hard-pressed predecessor, but he’s starting to turn a corner. His tactics are sinking in.
Just imagine how high the Portuguese tactician could reach should INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe equip him with a perfect spread of new signings this summer.
However, United have their financial difficulties and will need to sell in order to buy. Signing a striker is among the priorities for the Red Devils, but luckily, neither of Amorim’s recognised centre-forwards have proved they deserve a star role in the years to come at the Theatre of Dreams.
Man United's striking woes
United claimed a point in Sunday’s Manchester derby, which was very much emblematic of the issues presented to both neighbours right now.
Chiefly, the stalemate highlighted glaring deficiencies in attack, especially for the hosts’ part. Rasmus Hojlund toiled once again, replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the second half. The Dutchman, who was signed from Bologna last summer for £36.5m, “offers a lot more” than his teammate, according to The United Stand’s Beth Tucker.
Even so, he’s not the long-term solution as the star focal frontman.
Minutes played
71′
19′
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches
15
11
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
2 (1)
Accurate passes
7/9 (78%)
4/6 (67%)
Key passes
0
0
Dribbles
0/0
0/0
Duels won
1/4
1/2
Hojlund, Man United’s £72m number nine, was a non-entity once again. At least Zirkzee, replacing him with just under 20 minutes left to play, sought to make things happen, sought to take some initiative.
With just three goals from 26 Premier League appearances this season, Hojlund, who is 22, is apt for sale this summer, especially when considering that he’s averaging 0.8 shots per game.
How much Man United could recoup for a player like Hojlund, who is clearly talented but has endured a torrid time of it this year, remains to be seen.
However, the Dane will need to part with his red shirt if things are going to improve. United, for that matter, have identified the perfect replacement for Hojlund, and only by selling him will they be able to pounce.
INEOS make bid for new striker
As per Spanish sources, Man United are very much in the running for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has been one of the most prolific players in Europe over the past couple of years.
The Athletic confirmed last week that Arsenal have bumped him up to the top of their wish-list given Newcastle United are staying firm on their £150m valuation of Alexander Isak, but INEOS will hope that Amorim’s connection with the Portugal champions could see a bid from United hold sway.
Gyokeres, 25, is the gold standard, and the Red Devils know it. In fact, the report suggests that they have already offered a €75m (£64m) figure to take him off Sporting’s hands and reunite him with his former gaffer, albeit with Chelsea in the same boat.
Why Man United should sign Viktor Gyokeres
For what it’s worth, former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart remarked that Gyokeres is “a better version of Haaland,” owing to his more complete and dynamic skill set.
The data, in fairness, takes a step toward backing such an audacious claim up. As per FBref, Gyokeres ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe over the past year for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.
So then, you see why he’s such a covetous man right now. Given that he fronted Amorim’s system at Sporting, posted 66 goals and 23 assists across just 68 matches for the young manager, you begin to see why INEOS are so desperate to bring him over to Manchester this year.
Such a powerful, precise and imposing number nine must leave Bruno Fernandes giddy at the thought of playing with him. Man United’s skipper, the all-inspiring talisman and all-embracing leader, has been the brightest light to emerge from a dreary campaign, popping up with big moments and providing creative support and defensive relief in nearly every fixture he competes in.
The 30-year-old is so many things for his team, but his chance creation is quite literally second to none, surely something that may tempt Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford and lead the line for Amorim’s side, charged as he would be by Fernandes’ consistent playmaking.
1.
Bruno Fernandes
30
74
2.
Cole Palmer
30
71
3.
Mohamed Salah
31
70
4.
Dejan Kulusevski
27
62
5.
Enzo Fernandez
29
60
While he wouldn’t come cheap, Gyokeres is the perfect profile for United and if signing a striker is neglected this summer, it’s hard to see how Amorim is going to close the huge gap between his team and their rivals.
There’s all the Sweden international’s clinical nature to consider. Sofascore record that he has missed 22 big chances across Liga Portugal and Champions League campaigns this season, scoring 36 goals across the two competitions.
That’s an insane level of composure and success in the ball-striking department. Truly, if such prowess can be translated to the Premier League, United could return to the forefront of the division, especially with Fernandes pulling the strings from behind.
Make no mistake, this is a player of greatness, a player who, in different circumstances, would be heralded with more effusive praises. Instead, he has remained committed to the United cause.
Fernandes has tasted a few pieces of silverware since walking through the gates, but if partnered with Gyokeres in a purring Amorim system, there’s no telling how high this club might reach.
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