3 games, 3 different centre-forwards and all 3 have scored when used in this position. It has been a promising start for Man United under Ruben Amorim, a positive change from Erik ten Hag's last gloomy period.
5/8 of the goals the "Red Devils" scored under the new Portuguese captain came from strikers. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring against Ipswich Town, Rasmus Hojlund scored a double against Bodo Glimt and most recently Joshua Zirkzee with a double in the 4-0 win over Everton. This shows that Amorim is making the most of the attack resources of the Old Trafford team.
Explaining why he picked Zirkzee in the starting lineup against Everton, Amorim wants diversity in Man United's playing style. In addition, he wants to use a technically strong striker to face the two tall central defenders of the away team.
Hojlund is a striker who tends to be strong and fast, often operating effectively in situations of running behind the opponent's defense. In contrast, Zirkzee stands out with his ability to link up playing style, drop deep and create space for teammates. It was this combination that opened up opportunities for Amad Diallo in the situation that led to Rashford's third goal.
With a tight schedule, Amorim is rotating the squad to maintain the players' fitness. However, he also affirmed that an official squad will soon be formed. Whether for tactical or physical reasons, the choice between Hojlund and Zirkzee seems to be a long-term problem for the 39-year-old coach.
Rasmus Hojlund was handed the No. 9 shirt shortly after joining Man United and was a strong candidate to become the official striker in Ruben Amorim's squad. However, Zirkzee's performances have shown that he is not simply a second choice. The Dutch star has improved his mentality and tactical thinking after a relatively difficult start to life for his new team.
With Amorim experimenting with options, Rashford has also been used as a centre-forward when needed. His two goals against Everton have taken his tally to three in his last two Premier League games. This shows that the English striker is regaining his form after a difficult time under Ten Hag. However, in the long term, the 27-year-old striker is probably more suitable for playing on the wing or as a second striker.
Amorim's coaching style has brought a new breeze to Man United. The tactical system is being refined to suit each opponent. The diversity in the approach to the game makes The Red Devils more unpredictable, while optimizing the ability of the attackers.
Rasmus Hojlund's physique and playing style are very similar to Viktor Gyokeres, a very successful centre-forward under Ruben Amorim at Sporting. This makes the Danish star more likely to be the favorite choice of the new Portuguese captain. The 21-year-old striker promises to reach his full potential with Amorim's digging.
However, Joshua Zirkzee brings a different playing style, prone to calmness and connectivity. This creates an interesting competition between two strikers with unique qualities.
With a busy schedule in December, Ruben Amorim will prioritize ensuring the fitness of the whole team. However, the upcoming period will also play a decisive role in determining who is the 39-year-old coach's number one choice for the striker position.
Whether it is Hojlund, Zirkzee or even Rashford, the important thing is that they all know how to take advantage of opportunities when given. All are scoring points in Amorim's eyes and this promises to bring rich and effective options to Man United's attack in the coming time.
