Manchester United legend Andy Cole has advised Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on thriving at Old Trafford.
United signed Hojlund for a £72 million fee after impressing at Atalanta. He provided 14 goal involvements in 34 games for the Italian side.
However, he has struggled at United, scoring just 26 goals in 95 games. His poor form is one reason the club have had two consecutive poor seasons in the Premier League.
Due to the struggles of the Denmark international, United signed Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna last summer for £36.5m.
Zirkzee impressed at Bologna, playing a vital role in the club’s qualification for last season’s Champions League. He won the Serie A’s Best U-23 player award for the 2023/2024 season.
The Netherlands international struggled to thrive as United’s centre-forward last term, but played better as a number 10 in manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
Cole believes Hojlund and Zirkzee have struggled at United because they do not have senior strikers to learn from, and advised that they will succeed at United if they simplify their games.
He told The Obi One Podcast: “When you go to clubs like Man United, I was fortunate, I had players that I could learn from.
“I think these two guys here have gone into the deep end, trying to learn from each other and both adapting to a new league, both adapting to an unbelievable club like Manchester United.
“When people used to say Man United was a graveyard for number nines, it has been proven over the years. These guys here need time and experience, and are totally different players.
“I think with Rasmus (Hojlund), I have said this many times: He is an old-fashioned centre-forward. He wants to hustle and fight and fight.
“If I were to ever give him any advice, just get hold of the ball, get two touches, three touches at worst, and move. Get it down, let it off, and move.
“Get yourself into the box as much as you can, no matter how many you miss, but you are in that position where you are getting those chances to miss; it is as simple as that. Stick to basics, don’t complicate anything.
“You know Zirkzee, same thing, I don’t think for me personally he is number nine. I don’t think personally he is going to get you 25 goals, but just stick to the basics.
“Whatever got you playing well at Bologna and your national team and got Man United to sign you, just keep doing that, and then you go from there.”
United signed Cole after he established himself as one of the best strikers in the league. They must repeat this feat by signing another experienced striker this summer to succeed next term.
With a difficult start to the 2025/26 league season—featuring games against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea—strengthening the attack could be key to avoiding a slow start.
Stats from transfermarkt.com