Jhon Duran shows exactly what is missing at Manchester United, the important thing is that Ineos acts decisively

Liverpool led the match 3-1 before Unai Emery brought on substitute Jhon Duran, who scored twice, and launched a thousand puns about his name on the scoresheet Duran, Duran .

If Manchester United’s investors, Ineos, were watching, there was an important lesson for the club’s management to heed.

Jhon Duran provides spark off the bench

Manchester United have struggled to score goals this season and that has been a real problem for the team.

The Red Devils have scored just 52 goals in the Premier League. Manchester City scored 91. Aston Villa scored 76.

One of the differences, as demonstrated in Villa’s draw with Liverpool, is that they have a striker they can call on from the bench.

With Ollie Watkins enduring a rare night in front of goal, Villa called up young striker Jhon Duran.

The Colombian forward stepped up, scoring twice, to ensure Villa earned a point and stayed top of the Champions League chase.

Duran, for his part, is a very raw young forward, playing the kind of backup role that many believe Rasmus Hojlund might be best suited for at this early stage of his career.

But it cost Villa just £18m to sign from Chicago Fire in January 2023. The club knew they were signing a prospect and he has been managed accordingly, with further expectations.

What Vila has is an option. All clubs need a variety of strikers. Manchester United had four top strikers in 1999.

Manchester United operate with a striker

In 2024, Manchester United operated with only one striker. Anthony Martial has not played a game since early December and has contributed little until then.

When Rasmus Hojlund missed two weeks with injury in late February and early March, United had to operate without strikers.

It is essential to have options in front of you. When Rasmus Hojlund was replaced at the weekend, untested 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley was brought in, underscoring how limited the options are.

The forward position is absolutely crucial for Manchester United to address this summer. Anthony Martial will be released when his contract expires at the end of June.

United need two new strikers, not just one. But it is a crucial position, one that United have managed extremely poorly in recent years.

Rasmus Hojlund was built to fail this year. Give her competition, give her a helping hand and take the pressure off.

Had there been a young international striker on the bench at the weekend, it could have proved the difference between losing and winning at least a point.

It is a problem that Ineos must act decisively to solve. Manchester United need to score more goals. Plain and simple, Manchester United need more strikers to score.

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