Three games, three different strikers and all three have scored in that position. It's been a promising start for Man United under Ruben Amorim, a positive change from the bleak final stretch under Erik ten Hag.
5/8 goals scored by the “Red Devils” under the new Portuguese captain came from strikers. Marcus Rashford opened the match 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 exploiting the attacking resources of the Old Trafford team to the fullest.
Explaining his choice of Zirkzee in the starting line-up against Everton, Amorim said he wanted to add variety to United's style of play. He also wanted a technically strong striker to counter the visitors' two big centre-backs.
Hojlund is a power-and-pace striker who is effective in running behind the opposition defence. Zirkzee, on the other hand, is known for his ability to link up play, drop deep and create space for his teammates. It was this combination that opened up the opportunity for Amad Diallo in the situation that led to Rashford's third goal.
With a tight schedule, Amorim is rotating his squad to maintain his players' fitness. However, he also affirmed that a final squad will soon take shape. 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 performance showed that he is not a simple second choice. The Dutch star has improved his mentality and tactical thinking after a relatively difficult start to life at his new team.
With Amorim experimenting with options, Rashford has also been used as a centre-forward when needed. His two goals against Everton took his tally to three in his last two Premier League games, suggesting he is getting back to form after a difficult spell under Ten Hag. However, in the long term, the 27-year-old may still be better suited to playing on the wing or as a second striker.
Amorim's coaching style has brought a breath of fresh air to Man United. The tactical system is being tweaked to suit each opponent. The diversity in the approach to the game makes The Red Devils more unpredictable, while optimizing the ability of the attacking players.
Rasmus Hojlund's physique and playing style are very similar to Viktor Gyokeres, the striker who was very successful under Ruben Amorim at Sporting. This makes the Danish star a likely choice for the new Portuguese coach. The 21-year-old striker promises to continue to develop his potential under Amorim's guidance.
However, Joshua Zirkzee brings a different style of play, one that is more about composure and connection. This creates an interesting competition between two strikers with distinct qualities.
With a busy schedule in December, Ruben Amorim will prioritize ensuring the fitness of the entire squad. However, the upcoming period will also play a decisive role in determining who the 39-year-old coach's number one choice for the striker position is.
Whether it's Hojlund, Zirkzee or even Rashford, the important thing is that they all know how to take advantage of the opportunities given to them. All are scoring points in Amorim's eyes and this promises to bring rich and effective options to Man United's attack in the near future.
