The Manchester United attack is being ripped apart and rebuilt this summer, after how terrible the 2024-25 campaign was.
While there were issues across the pitch, it was in attack that the biggest problems were for Manchester United by the time the season ended.
Ruben Amorim was making progress with his team, the footballing was improving, and defensively things were looking a great deal more solid than they had been. However, despite creating chances, finishing was proving an impossible task for the crop of forwards.
Due to this, Ineos are planning an overhaul. Rasmus Hojlund is seeking his United exit, while Amorim has told Alejandro Garnacho to leave. These are two big exits and will clear the way for the planned summer signings.
United have signed Matheus Cunha already, while talks for Bryan Mbeumo remain at an advanced stage. Following these two additions, United are expected to target a new number nine, although within the club, there is a belief that one player can step up.
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring for Manchester United.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United staff have exciting hopes for Joshua Zirkzee next season
It has long been assumed that a striker will be signed this summer; however, the market for a new number nine is slim this summer at a price point Ineos will want.
Liam Delap was the plan for Jason Wilcox at £30m, before he chose Chelsea with their Champions League football. While Viktor Gyokeres will cost around £68m, which is £10m more than United originally would have expected to have to pay.
With United unable to easily get a top target without breaking the bank, it could see Ineos re-evaluate current options at the disposal of Amorim, and this could benefit Joshua Zirkzee.
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According to iNews, many at United believe that with the additions of Mbeumo and Cunha, Zirkzee could actually excel in a front three that is dynamic and rotates.
This would be an interesting front three, with Zirkzee sure to benefit from the creativity of Cunha and Mbeumo, while they, in turn, would benefit from his creativity as he could hold it up and allow the pair to run beyond him.
Ruben Amorim has to trial Cunha, Mbeumo and Zirkzee in pre-season
Regardless of whether a new striker is signed, Amorim must still give this front three a chance in pre-season to impress, considering on paper the trio are all tailor-made to play alongside each other.
As showcased by SofaScore, Zirkzee didn’t have the dream first season at United; however, few players settle in the Premier League immediately at a young age.
An Infographic from SofaScore with Joshua Zirkzee's 2024-25 season stats for Manchester United.
An Infographic from SofaScore with Joshua Zirkzee’s 2024-25 season stats for Manchester United.
However, one statistic that stands out for Zirkzee in the past 12 months, as shown by FBRef, is his progressive passing. Zirkzee completed 2.98 progressive passes per 90, which is in the 89th percentile among strikers.
Having this quality means Zirkzee’s game is more suited to benefitting others rather than being the out-and-out striker that Gyokeres would be.
Zirkzee is an excellent player to have in the squad, and if this trio catches fire might even make himself a star.