Manchester United they struggled to find any consistency in the Premier League this season he is languishing in 14th place with 22 points after 19 games played. The Red Devils have scored only 21 goals (5th fewest in the division this season), with Leicester, West Ham and Nottingham Forest scoring more.
Reuben Amorim took over at United in November, becoming the sixth person to take over the role vacated by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Their new Portuguese manager has a very different style compared to previous managers such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Erik ten Hag, setting his side in more formation 3-4-2-1.
At his previous club, Amorim had Viktor Gyokeres, who scored for fun. Now he has a choice between Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzeeboth of whom have their strengths, but with the Red Devils constantly struggling to score, another striker acquisition cannot be ruled out.
Man Utd are looking for a new centre-forward in January
According to reporter Graeme Bailey reportsManchester United are one of the clubs said to be interested in PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani. Bailey stated in reports that Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea had held talks with Kolo Muani’s team last week.
Despite the interest of Italy and Turkey, the Frenchman would prefer to move to England. However, after paying him £64.2m in 2023, the French giants will want to recoup a hefty fee for the 26-year-old, which makes the job a bit more complicated.
Praised as a player with “extraordinary technical ability” German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani has he has made 14 appearances in all competitions for PSG so far this seasonscoring two goals, one assist and playing only 453 minutes in total.
Joshua Zirkzee vs Kolo Muani comparison
Manchester United’s strike duo have scored just 11 goals in all competitions this season, Hojlund has 22 appearancesscoring seven goals and one assist in 1,294 minutes, and Zirkzee has 27 appearances in all competitionsscoring four goals, with two assists in 1062 minutes.
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Zirkzee is signed for a a fee of around £36.5 million from Bologna last summer but has found himself in a variety of roles under the new manager, sometimes playing as one of the wide inside forwards behind the strikers and other times tasked with being the focal point of Amorim’s squad.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go to plan as the Dutchman was sent off after just 33 minutes against Newcastle in what was his worst moment at Old Trafford to date.
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Comparison of Zirkzea and Kolo Muani |
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|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
Zirkzee |
Muani |
|
Goals |
0.34 |
0.51 |
|
Assists |
0.21 |
0.20 |
|
xG |
0.34 |
1.06 |
|
Progressive Carries |
0.88 |
1.92 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.94 |
1.73 |
|
Total strokes |
2.28 |
3.23 |
|
Goals/Shoot |
0.15 |
0.09 |
|
Key passes |
1.18 |
1.35 |
|
Actions to create a shot |
2.65 |
3.27 |
|
Touch (Att Pen) |
4.31 |
8.65 |
|
Aerial duels won |
1.57 |
2.31 |
|
Statistics taken from FBref |
||
So, when comparing Zirkzee and Kolo Muani, you can see the difference in their style of play, as the Dutch striker provides more progressive passes and more assists, looking to break into pockets of space, connect play and combine with his teammates.
On the other hand, Kolo Muani looks a more direct threat, running in behind, stretching opposing defensive lines, getting plenty of touches in and around the penalty area, getting a high volume of shots and even winning his aerial duels, standing at 6ft 1.
With Kylian Mbappe tagging his French team-mate Kolo Mouani as “very complete” forward, stating that he is a striker who offers “various play options” to the team, the 26-year-old could be a great signing for the Red Devils, to add a more direct threat to their front line.
