Manchester United are expected to try and sign a new striker this summer – and that could spell trouble for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who have both struggled this season
Dimitar Berbatov has warned Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee that they are on borrowed time at Manchester United – unless they start finding the back of a net before the summer transfer window.
Both Hojlund and Zirkzee, a summer signing from Bologna, have struggled to score regularly this season and head into the final weeks of the campaign with just four and three Premier League goals to their name respectively. Their fortunes in front of goal has fuelled speculation that the club are keen to sign a new No.9 in the off-season.
Liam Delap is among the players who have been linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford after plundering 12 league goals for Ipswich Town.
United’s goal struggles are a far cry from their heyday, where they scored goals for fun under Sir Alex Ferguson. And Berbatov reckons Ruben Amorim will only keep faith in his misfiring forwards for so long.
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Speaking to Four Four Two magazine, the former United striker said: “Well, different time, different football, different players. United have been going through a difficult period in the Premier League, and especially even more so now that Liverpool have won the 20th title, which obviously is a big disappointment for everybody connected to United.
“As for their striker dilemma, that will stay until either the current strikers start scoring goals regularly, or the new season comes and the manager decides his patience is no longer there with them, and maybe he’ll go for someone else.
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“Until the season finishes, I hope that whoever is given the chance to play up front can take this chance really seriously, because they need to know that when the new season comes, everything starts anew, the manager will have more time to prepare the team from the beginning.”
Hojlund’s struggles in front of goal has seen the former Atalanta man linked with a return to Serie A this week. It’s claimed that Juventus are interested in the Denmark international, who moved to United in a deal totalling £72million.
It remains to be seen if Hojlund would be given the green light to leave Old Trafford permanently but the club are looking to raise further transfer funds to give Amorim greater scope when it comes to rebuilding his playing squad.
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