Manchester United are reportedly plotting an attacking revamp, so Joshua Zirkzee could also be heading towards the exit door.
It has been a season of highs and lows for the Dutchman who joined the Red Devils in the summer following a superb campaign at Bologna. In recent weeks, the 23-year-old had been showing encouraging signs, even though he ended up missing the decisive spot-kick in the FA Cup penalty shootouts against Fulham.
On the other hand, Rasmus Hojlund has been enduring a horrific season, as he hasn’t been able to score in his last 20 outings.
So while United are looking to revamp their squad by signing at least one top-notch striker, the Dane has been identified as the first suspect to leave.
According to IlBianconero, the Premier League giants are hoping to include the former Atalanta man in an exchange deal that culminates with Victor Osimhen’s arrival. The Nigerian bomber is currently on loan at Galatasaray, but will return to Napoli in the summer before trying to find himself a new club, as his poor rapport with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis means a stay at the Stadio Maradona is highly unlikely.
Joshua Zirkzee could make way for Man Utd’s summer acquisitions
Nevertheless, the source believes Hojlund might not be the solitary attacking exit, as Zirkzee could also be set for a Serie A return. The Netherlands international has been heavily linked with Juventus where he would reunite with his old Bologna boss Thiago Motta, even though the latter is currently walking on thin ice, especially following Sunday’s 0-4 defeat at the hands of Atalanta.
Finally, the report confirms Man Utd’s intention to enter the race for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta who should be available for around £40 million. Hence, he could be a more affordable alternative to Osimhen, unless the management plans to sign both players as replacements for Zirkzee and Hojlund.
Well, if it’s a time for idle thoughts …
Zirkzee perplexes me. I’ve said that before. He is good on the ball, has an eye for a pass but lacks killer instincts – he’s not a striker. He’s a better fit as a 10 than a 9 and, at one point, I thought he might have found his niche there but, in Amorim’s system, as I’m learning, 10s are aggressive attackers that rapidly find and exploit spaces in the final third. In that position, Zirkzee plays more like a ‘forward 8’, sometimes hanging back ready to support. It’s a bit similar to Mount – I can see the skills, but I don’t know where he best fits.
In contrast, Hojlund does have killer instincts – we’ve seen them on the pitch from time to time – but at the moment he has zero confidence and is afraid of the ball. As well as breaking with his habit of getting ‘up close and personal’ with defenders when he’s receiving, maybe Hojlund should take inspiration from this Ted Lasso dialogue:
“… your speed and your smarts were never what made you who you are. It’s your anger. That’s your superpower. That’s what made you one of the best midfielders in the history of this league. But I haven’t seen it on the pitch at all this season, Roy. I mean, you used to run like you were angry at the grass. You’d kick the ball like you’d caught it fu$king your wife, for Christ’s sake. But that anger doesn’t come out anymore when you play.”
Perhaps Hojlund needs to find some slow-burning source of anger and draw from it. Don’t be afraid of the ball: hate it.
(It’s not as silly as it sounds: when I was taught fire-fighting skills – and I don’t mean a waste-paper basket, I mean large oil fires in full suits and BA – one piece of advice was to be angry at the fire for ruining my day. It worked. Of course, one should always respond in accordance with training.)