Manchester United’s ‘three-striker shortlist’ includes a 26-goal ace

Manchester United, the biggest decision of the early Ineos era behind them, can now focus decisively on the transfer market.

And The Independent reports that, as of Wednesday, Man United are making progress in their pursuit of a new centre-forward with three names on the shortlist. The report does not add if they are no more shortlisted names, but all three have at least some meaning for different seasons.

Starting with Joshua Zirkzee, the former Bologna Bayern Munich prospect would give Man United a completely different dimension in the final third. Likened to Dimitar Berbatov by some and Robin van Persie by others, if Rasmus Hojlund is a classic number nine, then Zirkzee is more of a ‘nine and a half’.

The stylish Dutchman scored just 12 goals last season as Bologna qualified for the Champions League for the first time. But what he lacks in that department, he makes up for with his movement, technical ability, intelligence and link-up play. It’s not hard to imagine Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho getting comfortable in double figures alongside Zirkzee, with the 23-year-old dropping deep and opening up spaces for his wing-backs to run into.

Zirkzee also has a very affordable £34m release clause in his contract. That seems understandable for a United side not exactly flush with cash, even if there are rumors of a hefty fee to be paid to his agent Kia Joorabchian.

“He also developed in his mentality,” says Zirkzee’s former youth coach Kees van Wonderen. roundelay on Ziggo Sport. “Working hard, investing and playing a part in your team’s defensive duties, there used to be a lot less of that. He didn’t think that was important.

“(Zirkzee) lived to score goals. He, of course, has very important qualities in the last third. Scoring goals is his quality.”

“I just made the comparison with Van Persie,” adds Van Wonderen, who ironically has since been replaced in the Heerenveen dugout by the aforementioned Dutchman.

“When you saw (Van Persie) at Arsenal, (he had) a completely different way of looking at things.”

Ivan Toney and Jonathan David are options

The Independent also throws Ivan Toney into the mix. Toney offers some plus points that Zirkzee lacks, including experience and a proven Premier League record. The England international broke the 20-goal barrier for Brentford in 2022/23, although he endured a difficult subsequent campaign due to this lengthy betting ban.

Toney is reluctant to extend a contract that expires in 2025. Meaning, he should be available for less than regular market value.

The same can be said for Jonathan David, who is set to become a free agent next year. The Brooklyn-born Canada international may be seen by some as the least attractive of the three – prone to dips in form and suffering a tough World Cup in 2022 – but his goalscoring record remains impressive.

David helped Lille to the Ligue 1 title a few years ago. With 26 goals last season, meanwhile, he comfortably outscored Toney and Zirkzee over the past 10 months.

READ: Manchester United’s top scorer and assist leaders for 2023/24

Similar topics