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Manchester United boosted their frontline with the marquee addition of Joshua Zirkzee in July, however studies recommend he was not their first alternative choice and will even have been joined by one other striker.
The United frontline has been understaffed and underperforming for years, and The Athletic report that Benjamin Sesko was the membership’s desire to deal with the problem.
And it was solely after the towering Slovenian dedicated his future to RB Leipzig that United turned their consideration to Zirkzee, whose £36.5m seize from Bologna was nonetheless seen as a big enchancment – scouts and supervisor alike had been very completely happy to welcome him to the membership.
The 23-year-old Dutchman is the second striker signed by Erik ten Hag. Like 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived final yr from Atalanta in a £64m deal, he was plucked from a Serie A overachiever following a comparatively brief time within the prime flight.
And in accordance with The Athletic, United gave robust consideration to including an additional centre ahead to their squad through the summer time, one with extra expertise of main the road on the highest degree and ideally within the Premier League.
Ivan Toney, who racked up 67 targets in 128 video games for Brentford, was the plain candidate.
At 28, and off the again of his notorious no-look penalty on the Euros, the Englishman ought to be in his prime and was lengthy linked with a swap to an enormous membership – United had been linked all summer time lengthy, as had been Chelsea.
However because the months handed and his worth fell, Toney ultimately made an underwhelming deadline day swap to Al Ahli within the Saudi Professional League.
27-year-old Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was additionally reportedly within the body to deliver some expertise to United’s assault, however once more a transfer didn’t materialise – final season’s eight-goal return was a far cry from the 18 he netted the yr earlier than.
The Athletic report that “United had checked out Calvert-Lewin as an choice for a third-choice striker as soon as Zirkzee joined, conscious that Everton had been beneath stress to promote as a result of participant having one yr left on his contract.” Nevertheless, when Scott McTominay confirmed little urge for food for becoming a member of the Toffees, United dropped curiosity within the 27 yr outdated.
The membership have arguably by no means adequately changed Robin van Persie, regardless of signing a slew of superstars to steer the road.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic swaggered into Outdated Trafford and hit 28 targets – he would definitely have damaged the 30 barrier had accidents permitted – and Edinson Cavani had some success earlier than going off the boil and departing for Valencia.
However Radamel Falcao didn’t dwell as much as the hype, and Anthony Martial left on a free switch earlier this summer time, concluding probably the most irritating Outdated Trafford tenures in latest reminiscence.
The present crop of forwards have boundless potential and the good hope is that at the very least considered one of them will be capable to construct a legacy at United.
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