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Gary Pallister believes signing a new striker is a “main priority” for Manchester United this summer given the ongoing struggles of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, but it will prove difficult to find the right target.
Speaking to the The Peoples Person in an exclusive interview, hosted by Casino Apps, the former defender describes a more reliable centre-forward as “completely necessary” for Ruben Amorim to improve the team but questioned which striker the Red Devils would be able to sign this summer.
A New Number Nine
“I think it’s important we go and get a centre-forward,” Pallister states. But he suggests the market for strikers this summer is a difficult one given the lack of options as well as the club’s limited finances: “Who is there for the club [to sign] at the moment?”
United have been strongly linked with moves for the two Victors – Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres – but the fees involved for both are likely to prove too costly, particularly given both strikers will turn 27 next season.
Pallister believes there is “work going on behind the scenes” to identify a new striker but contends United will “have to sell” before they can buy this summer, further complicating the situation.
“Everybody has a price tag right now,” he states as INEOS seek to buttress their war chest this summer with the club reluctantly open to the departures of players like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Strikers’ Struggles
The former defender does offer some sympathy for Hojlund and Zirkzee, who have combined for just five Premier League goals this season, given the lack of creativity in the team. “When there’s a lack of goals, the onus falls on the centre-forward, but they have not had the best service at times.”
However, Pallister does not believe Zirkzee is an “out-and-out centre-forward” – mirroring Amorim’s assessment of the 23-year-old Dutchman – while Hojlund needs to add “more guile to his game” to be a success in the Premier League.
“You’ve got to be a little cleverer if you want to score goals in this league,” the 59-year-old concudes. “Rasmus is putting the effort in, you can’t knock him for [that]. But it’s just not happening for him.”
The bright performance by Chido Obi in Sunday’s disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Fulham offered a concerning comparison to the more experienced Dane, as Hojlund’s 17-year-old compatriot offered far more in 22 minutes than the number nine had in the previous hour from the start.
A Return for Rashford?
Pallister also offered an olive branch to Marcus Rashford over a shock return to the fold at Old Trafford next season.
Asked if he thought there was a possibility the 27-year-old forward, currently on loan at Aston Villa, could be play for United again, the former defender said it was “not an impossible thing.”
“If he proves himself. He’s got his hunger back at Villa, then maybe there’s a future for him still at Man United,” Pallister asserts.
Given Rashford remains United’s third top scorer and chance creator in the Premier League this season, despite not having played a minute for his boyhood club since early December, perhaps Amorim should reconsider whether the English forward has a “future” at Old Trafford also.
Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
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