Sell Josh Zirkzee and sign 162 G/A flyer: Man United should make pre-contract move for ex-Arsenal star
Man United have a few decisions to make in January and one of them should be to sell Joshua Zirkzee despite a shortage of strikers.
Manchester United need more firepower, a problem that isn’t a new one, nor is it one exclusive to Ruben Amorim.
The £75m signing of Benjamin Sesko was meant to be the solution and an upgrade on the hard-working but goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund, however, there has been little difference in terms of overall output. The Slovenia international is now injured for the next month which will give Joshua Zirkzee a chance to stake his claim, unless the Red Devils boss tries something different and tweaks his system. Having only played 90 minutes this season, the latter is the more likely option.
Man United should sell Joshua Zirkzee
Despite Sesko’s struggles and the fact that Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will be playing in the African Cup of Nations for several weeks, Zirkzee still hasn’t been able to force his way into the manager’s plans. There is interest in the Netherlands international from Everton and West Ham United and, if there are any concrete offers, United should listen.
Amorim has already explained what Zirkzee has to do to get more game time.
“I think he's improving in a lot of aspects,” explained the boss, during a press conference earlier this year as reported by Man United’s official website. “I think he needs to be more selfish, and that is a thing when you play as a striker. He's not a typical striker, but he has to be more selfish. He's more aggressive now, he works better now, he's defending better now, he's connecting quite well.
“He played as a striker in some games, especially against Arsenal he did really, really well. Then in some games, against [Real] Sociedad, he played as a 10, so he can adapt to different situations. So, I see that Josh is improving and showing good things.”
Zirkzee explained what type of player he was when he first made the move to Old Trafford and it is clear that he is now a square peg in a round hole under Amorim: “I occasionally drop down to midfield. I don’t do that for myself but to help the team. I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5! That’s my game. Maybe I’m a little different than others. But being different is good, right?”
Who should Man United sign to replace Joshua Zirkzee?
What United need in their no.10s is the type of player that Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have shown themselves to be and there is the opportunity to sign an experienced goalscorer from the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry is out of contract in the summer and the 30-year old is capable of playing as a no.9, on the wing or in the sort of role that Cunha and Mbeumo play under Amorim.
With four goals and three assists in nine games, the Germany international has started the season well and his record of 162 goals and assists in 300 appearances for Bayern is exactly the sort of return that an attacking midfielder or forward should be getting for United.
Having another player capable of chipping in instead of just relying on Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo would be the difference between winning or drawing games. It would also take a lot of the pressure off Sesko and allow him to settle into life at Old Trafford.
Gnabry knows the Premier League, consistently gets numbers and is available on a pre-contract agreement in January. If they are to close the gap on Arsenal and Man City, United need players who would be able to play for their rivals and Gnabry is exactly what United need.