United are on pace to log their worst Premier League goalscoring season ever
Hojlund and Zirkzee have scored just five league goals combined this term
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By YASEEN ZAMAN
Published: 05:16 EST, 7 March 2025 | Updated: 05:16 EST, 7 March 2025
Manchester United legend Andy Cole weighed in on his former side's struggles in front of goal this season and revealed he is 'sympathetic' towards the Red Devils' dire fortunes under Ruben Amorim.
United are on track to log their worst goalscoring tally in a Premier League campaign ever, eclipsing Louis van Gaal’s final season in 2015-16 when they scored 49 goals.
So far this season, United have netted just 33 in 27 league games; at this rate, they are set to finish the season on 46 goals.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have often been the focal point of criticism for the Red Devils' attacking woes. The duo have managed just five Premier League goals this season combined - two and three respectively.
But Cole, who bagged 187 goals in the English top-flight, insisted that even he would 'find it tough' in Amorim's side, citing the lack of senior role models at United.
Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport, the Premier League's fourth-highest goalscorer in history said: 'I was very fortunate that, during my time at Manchester United, I had established individuals that I could go and learn from.
Andy Cole explained that he has sympathy for Manchester United amid their difficult campaign
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored a combined five league goals this season
United are on track to register their worst goalscoring season in Premier League history (46)
'These guys [Hojlund and Zirkzee] have been thrown in the deep end; two young guys having to hit the ground running with no senior professionals to try and guide them through things.
'If I was to come to Manchester United and they were under the pressure they are at the moment, I would find it tough.
'These guys are naturally finding it tough. They're not scoring goals, the team in general are not scoring goals, and of course it's going to reflect on those two guys [Hojlund and Zirkzee].'
Amid United's difficulties this season, a multitude of forwards have been earmarked with a move to Old Trafford, including Victor Osimhen, Christopher Nkunku and Viktor Gyokeres.
In light of these links, there were also talks of Zirkzee being shipped off on loan in January - just months after he joined last summer.
Cole went on to state that transfer rumours are part and parcel of being a United striker, noting that he was also a victim of such speculation during the club's golden years under Sir Alex Ferguson.
'I've got sympathy for every single one of these guys because I know what it's like to be a centre forward for Manchester United,' the 53-year-old added.
'Manchester United were winning everything and if you weren't scoring for a couple of games, the media were on the case, saying: "Manchester United are buying every single centre forward in the world."'
Cole - who scored 187 top-flight goals - admitted even he would struggle in this United side
Zirkzee has scored just five goals this season after joining for £36m from Bologna last summer
Meanwhile, Hojlund has not found the back of the net since December 12 - 19 games ago
Despite United being on course to blow almost every Premier League 'worst' in club history out of the water this season, Cole doubled down on his optimism, arguing that Amorim can still be the man to turn it around.
'With Hojlund and Zirkzee, I have nothing but sympathy for them. I have nothing but sympathy for those guys, the manager as well. He's come in, he wants to do it his way and rightly so.
'It will turn around - bad times don't last forever and good times always follow bad times. With all things concerned, Manchester United will turn it around in the end.'
Zirkzee added to his goalscoring account on Thursday night, netting his side's only goal in their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16.
Meanwhile, Hojlund extended his dry patch to 19 games, as the Danish forward has still not scored since December 12.
United go into their next Premier League fixture languishing in 14th place in the table, as they prepare to face Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Andy Cole was speaking on behalf ofBetMGM. You could win £250,000 at this year's Cheltenham Festival - click here for more details.