Manchester United’s search for a striker has been ongoing for years and cost millions, yet for just £14.6m the issue could have been solved.
While Ruben Amorim’s squad has numerous issues preventing it from being great right now.
Manchester United’s players have struggled to adapt to the new system, however, the biggest issue Amorim has is the lack of goals his side are scoring.
Neither Joshua Zirkzee nor Rasmus Hojlund have impressed with just five Premier League goals between them, which left Amorim wanting a new striker in January.
Viktor Gyokeres looks like a certain target this summer to bolster the ranks, but the striker problem is one which has been troublesome for United over the past few years.
United have failed to find a 20-goal-a-season long-term solution since United’s record goalscorer in history, Wayne Rooney, deteriorated and was sold to Everton. But United could have fixed it.
Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund reacts during the UEFA Champions League Knockout phase play-offs 1st leg match between Sporting CP and Borussi...
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/JAR Sport Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United could have signed Serhou Guirassy
Since November 2022 when Cristiano Ronaldo had his contract torn up by United, there hasn’t been a striker at the club capable of scoring regularly.
United have seen Anthony Martial struggle and Wout Weghorst underwhelm on loan, while millions were thrown at Hojlund and also Zirkzee last summer to fix the problem.
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However, back in January 2024 – United were handed the chance to sign Serhou Guirassy for just £14.6m from Stuttgart – yet the chance was refused.
According to The Athletic, United had Guirassy as an option in January 2024 yet decided his £14.6m release clause was too expensive for a 27-year-old who had only really had one good half-season.
Guirassy scored 18 goals in 22 games last season from the season start to February and this came during a time Hojlund had scored only a couple in the Premier League.
This reason for not signing Guirassy looks ridiculous, considering United spent £64m on a 20-year-old Hojlund who had fewer career goals than Guirassy managed in months.
One year after than, United signed Zirkzee which has gone similarly.
How Guirassy’s 2024/25 compares with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund
The decision not to sign Guirassy, on paper, looks atrocious although we have no way of knowing how he would do at United, at Borussia Dortmund, he’s been a revelation.
Guirassy has outscored United’s two strikers combined which says more about No.9 and No.11 than anything else.
Player Games Goals Assists
Guirassy 28 19 6
Hojlund 31 7 1
Zirkzee 36 5 2
When compared, it is almost criminal how bad United’s two strikers are and shows why Amorim is so keen for an addition.
Guirassy is also this season’s top goalscorer in the Champions League with 10. He was also named in the team of the week for his performance against Sporting Lisbon.
So in conclusion, the decision not to snap up Guirassy for more than four times cheaper than Hojlund looks a bad one.