Victor Gyökeres

[Sandikan]

In general, I absolutely agree with you. But at a certain point we have to be willing to buy top quality/proven players especially in attack where we don't really have time to let a group of nothing but young players "acclimate to the league" as we flounder for results.

We haven't scored nearly enough goals since Ten Hag came in, and part of that is just down to the variety of issues from our forward line (poor decision making, lack of creativity from wide, poor finishing, bad in tight spaces, inconsistent finishing etc.). This isn't me saying "argh go buy Kane he'll get us 20 goals a season" as much as it is saying that we need to buy players that instantly elevate our final third play week in and week out and we aren't having to cross our fingers and hope a young prospect makes the leap.

Letting youth players develop is a brilliant strategy if they're the Rooney & Ronaldo ilk and obviously so from a young age.
Hojlund and Zirkzee might move into decent territory but it'd take a real optimist to think they'll fire us to glory.

 

[Giggsyking]

Go fecking get him.

 

[Stadjer]

If he can create for himself he can.

So we just need to go back in time and buy prime R9?

 

[Bastian]

So we just need to go back in time and buy prime R9?

Exactly.

 

[elmo]

I love Isak, premier proven, got the full skill set. However price would be prohibitive.
Cheeky Rashford + cash swap deal?

They’ll ask us to top up money if we include Rashford.

 

[Sandikan]

I love Isak, premier proven, got the full skill set. However price would be prohibitive.
Cheeky Rashford + cash swap deal?

In before someone does the classic gag...

Straight Cash of 100m for Isak
Or 120m & Rashford for Isak

 

[Giggsyking]

Why are we talking about Isak? He is not fecking leaving Newcastle and if he is we aint paying 100m plus on him.

 

[gulli_G]

If he can create for himself he can.

He does create for himself sometimes or for others he has a decent amount of assists.

 

[Bastian]

He does create for himself sometimes or for others he has a decent amount of assists.

Yeah, I think so too. I think he's a lot stronger than Hojlund so he can both play back to goal, and then he can turn a defender and bring the ball up himself, as we've seen him do. Hojlund can do that technically, but he's not strong enough against Premier League defenders to do so at this moment in time.

 

[JE-365]

I think Osimhen is cheaper right? On paper, Osimhen would be a better option than Gyokeres.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We need a centre forward who contributes to the buildup imo. The rest of our team simply isn’t good enough to compensate for a limited player upfront.

 

[Cloud7]

There’s far more pressing positions of need before we look at another striker. I’m of the opinion that we get them sorted and see if Rasmus can mature to be the main man.

What position you would say is the most pressing mate? The biggest problem in this team right now is that we can't score. I would say striker/the position behind the striker is currently the biggest issue in this team

 

[Baneofthegame]

What position you would say is the most pressing mate? The biggest problem in this team right now is that we can't score. I would say striker/the position behind the striker is currently the biggest issue in this team

Left 10
LWB

Think our left sided attack is atrocious as it stands, need someone other than Amad who can actually go by someone.

 

[Rojofiam]

I love Isak, premier proven, got the full skill set. However price would be prohibitive.
Cheeky Rashford + cash swap deal?

No, he doesn't. Isak goes anonymous and ghosts through many games where Newcastle have trouble breaking down low blocks and create chances for him. That's a similar problem that we often face and have faced for years. Just watch Isak in many of the games this season in which Newcastle have struggled.

The same thing would happen to Isak, Gyökeres, Osimhen, all the mentioned names on here that have happened to Hojlund, Zirkzee, and every striker we've had up top in recent years.

Hojlund and Zirkzee are both good players and the biggest reason for their struggles is a systematic issue. We don't create chances or space for our strikers.

 

[Raoul]

There’s far more pressing positions of need before we look at another striker. I’m of the opinion that we get them sorted and see if Rasmus can mature to be the main man.

Hojlund and Zirkzee are better suited for mid table clubs, which might partially explain our table position. We need a proper striker who can score 25-30 goals a year in all comps; someone in the RvN, Rooney, RvP calibre....or else like a peak Zlatan or Cavani which we clearly don't have now. The other outfield players are pointless if we can't score goals and win games.

 

[tenpoless]

What exactly is your point here ? That Gyokeres isn’t United quality because he has amassed 70 goals in 75 games and plays in a league that gave us CR7, Nani, and Bruno ?

Don't forget that he scored penalties, the biggest sin of all...
Some posters are daydreaming if they think Hojlund is enough.

 

[Raoul]

Don't forget that he scored penalties, the biggest sin of all...
Some posters are daydreaming if they think Hojlund is enough.

Part of the issue is we haven't had a proper striker in so long that some have forgotten the value of having one.

 

[Giggsyking]

I can not believe people are happy with our current options. Sir Alex would have bought 4 strikers in 4 years if he had too because this is how important this position is. Sir Alex bought two top scorers in his first two seasons at united, not one,, two.

 

[Godfather]

There’s far more pressing positions of need before we look at another striker. I’m of the opinion that we get them sorted and see if Rasmus can mature to be the main man.

The striker position is one of the most pressing concerns. I agree that a new LWB, left side number 10 and proper CM who controls the tempo of the game is also important but our striker options are pretty dire.

 

[Rojofiam]

Hojlund and Zirkzee are better suited for mid table clubs, which might partially explain our table position. We need a proper striker who can score 25-30 goals a year in all comps; someone in the RvN, Rooney, RvP calibre....or else like a peak Zlatan or Cavani which we clearly don't have now. The other outfield players are pointless if we can't score goals and win games.

Hojlund can easily score 25-30 in all comps.

Got 16 last season in a team that should've finished 15th with 0 service provided for him, and since then, to this day he's not had the chance to play upfront regularly, for a team that's well-drilled enough for a top 4 finish. His chance conversion is absolutely elite too.

Yes, he's still raw and he can have games where he goes missing and doesn't make the right decisions either, but his physical profile and overall skillset is clearly good enough and suitable to be the starting #9 for Amorim and to score a lot of goals when the new head coach's system becomes a bit more fluid and functional.

 

[Trigg]

What position you would say is the most pressing mate? The biggest problem in this team right now is that we can't score. I would say striker/the position behind the striker is currently the biggest issue in this team

I think both wing positions and the number 10s depending on where Amad’s future lies. Then probably another midfielder (the never ending need).

Then I’d say a striker as I don’t think Zirkzee is the right choice but I do highly rate Rasmus and want him to be given a chance to mature and develop.

 

[Giggsy13]

Hojlund can easily score 25-30 in all comps.

Got 16 last season in a team that should've finished 15th with 0 service provided for him, and since then, to this day he's not had the chance to play upfront regularly, for a team that's well-drilled enough for a top 4 finish. His chance conversion is absolutely elite too.

Yes, he's still raw and he can have games where he goes missing and doesn't make the right decisions either, but his physical profile and overall skillset is clearly good enough and suitable to be the starting #9 for Amorim and to score a lot of goals when the new head coach's system becomes a bit more fluid and functional.

We need an established striker. Gyokeres or Osimhen are both good options irrespective of already having Hojlund who MAY turn into a 25 to 30 goal striker.

 

[Rojofiam]

We need an established striker. Gyokeres or Osimhen are both good options irrespective of already having Hojlund who MAY turn into a 25 to 30 goal striker.

Gyökeres and Osimhen wouldn't be guaranteed to outperform Hojlund. Especially when both of them have similar strengths to him.

 

[Raoul]

Hojlund can easily score 25-30 in all comps.

Got 16 last season in a team that should've finished 15th with 0 service provided for him, and since then, to this day he's not had the chance to play upfront regularly, for a team that's well-drilled enough for a top 4 finish. His chance conversion is absolutely elite too.

Yes, he's still raw and he can have games where he goes missing and doesn't make the right decisions either, but his physical profile and overall skillset is clearly good enough and suitable to be the starting #9 for Amorim and to score a lot of goals when the new head coach's system becomes a bit more fluid and functional.

Until he proves otherwise, Hojlund is probably going to be a reliable backup to whoever we buy this summer, which will probably be a top striker and or someone who has already proven they can be successful in Amorim’s system. Zirkzee will probably get loaned out for an eventual sale to make roster space.

 

[Rojofiam]

Until he proves otherwise, Hojlund is probably going to be a reliable backup to whoever we buy this summer, which will probably be a top striker and or someone who has already proven they can be successful in Amorim’s system. Zirkzee will probably get loaned out for an eventual sale to make roster space.

I think Hojlund will start next season as our starting #9, and Zirkzee will be here too in the same rotational role that he currently has.

I'm not expecting a top striker signing, but I can see us getting a back-up striker who can have impact coming off the bench and is content with not being a starter.

 

[Cee90]

Is he on a plane to Manchester yet?

 

[Raoul]

I think Hojlund will start next season as our starting #9, and Zirkzee will be here too in the same rotational role that he currently has.

I'm not expecting a top striker signing, but I can see us getting a back-up striker who can have impact coming off the bench and is content with not being a starter.

That’s not likely to happen since we are almost certainly going to buy a quality striker, especially with Rashford probably on his way out. Sticking with Højlund and Zirkzee would be perceived as the club normalizing expectations for continued mid table mediocrity.

 

[Rojofiam]

That’s not likely to happen since we are almost certainly going to buy a quality striker, especially with Rashford probably on his way out. Sticking with Højlund and Zirkzee would be perceived as the club normalizing expectations for continued mid table mediocrity.

Prepared to be disappointed then, just in case I'm right.

 

[bosskeano]

Part of the issue is we haven't had a proper striker in so long that some have forgotten the value of having one.

you can go one of two ways...in this case with this system, a proper striker is imperative to have which again we've not seen around here since rooney, rvp or ruud


OR ...you can go the liverpool route and just have three mobile forwards up top that positional play is about getting in behind with one forward helping in the build up. that was more similar to when we played with rooney, ronaldo and tevez

 

[Shaw's Shank Redemption]

Id be dissapointed if Amorim will rely on Sporting players at United.

Its a bit Ten Hag like for me, id rather we try for Osimhen who i think would even be cheaper than Gyokeres on current form.

 

[Raoul]

Id be dissapointed if Amorim will rely on Sporting players at United.

Its a bit Ten Hag like for me, id rather we try for Osimhen who i think would even be cheaper than Gyokeres on current form.

We should’ve tried to take Osimhen on a loan instead of buying Zirkzee.

As for Amorim, buying Gyokeres wouldn’t be the same as Ten Hag since ETH bought many players from either Ajax or who formerly played in the Dutch league and Amorim would only be buying one and would be no different than Moyes and Fellaini, LvG and Memphis, or Mourinho and Zlatan. We shouldn’t begrudge managers the flexibility to bring in players they are familiar with or have previously managed as long as they don’t make it the central tenet of their transfer strategy as Ten Hag did.

 

[tenpoless]

I dont even consider Zirkzee to be a CF. I dont know what he is. To me he is a bit like Fellaini where you can play him as an AM/CF and he will score some goals at the detriment of the team not having an actual CF up front to keep dragging defenders around. Simply put as AM there are better options (even now) and as CF he is not good enough.

For someone to be a good CF with that kind of laid back style they need to be extremely good at positioning, first touch, and finishing. He is good at none of those. And you can never ever change his style, just like Berbatov.

Get Gyokeres in if Rashford leaves. It's a no brainer. Oshimen would cost more I reckon. Failing Gyokeres, maybe get David from Lille but Gyo should be the first option. He knows the system and doesnt have to be coached from 0.

 

[bb8]

70/80 million really doesn’t get you much striker these days does it? Oshimen, Darwin, Rasmus, this fella? The competition for the next top striker is so fierce that clubs are gambling more and more cash on finding a longish term fix. Mad that Haaland was available for so little leaving Norway and Austria. I think someone like Alvarez would have been great here and he was very cheap. I think we need to stop paying these massive fees as if it’s a given the player is going to come good and just improve our scouting. I like Rasmus a lot and I think he has top class tools for this league but someone fast and skilful who can make chances for themselves would be a welcome addition

One thing to keep in mind is the transfer fee is only a limited part of the total cost of the player. Haaland got a massive signing bonus from City and is also on huge wages. Here's the full cost picture over their 5 year contracts:

Haaland: £52M transfer fee + £104M wages (400k per week * 5 years) + £50M to £80M signing bonus (sources vary on the bonus) = £204M - £234M total cost
Holjund: £70M transfer fee + £22M wages (85k per week * 5 years) = £92M total cost

I'm using only reported amounts from public sources so may not be exactly accurate, but probably in the ballpark. Haaland cost WAY more than Holjund despite having a lower transfer fee. The key was Haaland had a low release clause, which gave him a ton of leverage to negotiate high wages and bonus for his dad/agent.

 

[gulli_G]

I dont even consider Zirkzee to be a CF. I dont know what he is. To me he is a bit like Fellaini where you can play him as an AM/CF and he will score some goals at the detriment of the team not having an actual CF up front to keep dragging defenders around. Simply put as AM there are better options (even now) and as CF he is not good enough.

For someone to be a good CF with that kind of laid back style they need to be extremely good at positioning, first touch, and finishing. He is good at none of those. And you can never ever change his style, just like Berbatov.

Get Gyokeres in if Rashford leaves. It's a no brainer. Oshimen would cost more I reckon. Failing Gyokeres, maybe get David from Lille but Gyo should be the first option. He knows the system and doesnt have to be coached from 0.

Zirkzee has the physical build of Fellaini, that's where the comparison stops, he has the strength of Dan James.

 

[VP89]

Zirkzee has the physical build of Fellaini, that's where the comparison stops, he has the strength of Dan James.

Thats not true hes been very physical this season and not worried to put himself about.

 

[Ali Dia]

One thing to keep in mind is the transfer fee is only a limited part of the total cost of the player. Haaland got a massive signing bonus from City and is also on huge wages. Here's the full cost picture over their 5 year contracts:

Haaland: £52M transfer fee + £104M wages (400k per week * 5 years) + £50M to £80M signing bonus (sources vary on the bonus) = £204M - £234M total cost
Holjund: £70M transfer fee + £22M wages (85k per week * 5 years) = £92M total cost

I'm using only reported amounts from public sources so may not be exactly accurate, but probably in the ballpark. Haaland cost WAY more than Holjund despite having a lower transfer fee. The key was Haaland had a low release clause, which gave him a ton of leverage to negotiate high wages and bonus for his dad/agent.

Good post and I totally agree but I was chatting about getting or finding a bargain instead of searching in this 50 million plus market. Haaland leaving Norway or Austria, Alvarez, finding Rasmus after Austria etc. there are bargains there to be had, we’ve just been really slow to act when it comes to strikers. It seemed for the last 10 years we’d rather get someone who already peaked and pay them top wages like it was a forgone conclusion that they would succeed.

 

[gulli_G]

Thats not true hes been very physical this season and not worried to put himself about.

Last match, he was as useful as a lamppost on the pitch, did not pout his physical attributes to use at all.

 

[VP89]

Last match, he was as useful as a lamppost on the pitch, did not pout his physical attributes to use at all.

But that's not exactly reflective of this season where hes shown his strengths and been very resolute.

 

[bosskeano]

Zirkzee was the worst purchase of all time

 

[NZT-One]

Left 10
LWB

Think our left sided attack is atrocious as it stands, need someone other than Amad who can actually go by someone.

Completely agree. I'd actually put both wingback positions even before the left 10, because if the wingbacks finally work, the 10s should get a little more room. Don't get me wrong we should bring in somebody but when it is about priorities, the WBs are paramount in my eyes.

Until he proves otherwise, Hojlund is probably going to be a reliable backup to whoever we buy this summer, which will probably be a top striker and or someone who has already proven they can be successful in Amorim’s system. Zirkzee will probably get loaned out for an eventual sale to make roster space.

I think, the club committed to Hojlund the moment they brought him in for a big amount of money. I can see why people think we need a new striker but the issue is, Hojlund isn't going to get better if he isn't playing. If we say, alright, didn't work out, bye bye Rasmus, lets start over, then it might make sense but we kind of made our bed when we invested that kind of money into him. As I write below, the mistake was to not bring in somebody in who is able to take a bit of pressure off. Somebody experienced, with a pedigree. Maybe a figure like Cavani or something. But adding somebody who is just slightly older than Hojlund is something I consider as impossible luxury given the state of other areas of the squad. Also, the idea should be to create better chances on a more regular basis - look at Brighton, they are able to make somebody like Danny Welbeck look formidable. I think, the same would apply with us.

Zirkzee was the worst purchase of all time

He was a very weird idea. It makes sense to bring in a striker that is different to the options you already have and he clearly checked that mark but the problem with it is - that both are very young, both aren't established, both actually need minutes and none of them should be expected to lead the line for a club that tries to actually compete. It made some sense to bring in Hojlund but we should have brought somebody in on top to take the pressure off of him. We failed at that and a year later, when we do, we bring in another youngster. That doesn't seem to be good squad composition. Whether he fits or not or how good he is, is difficult to say, there is a chance, that he doesn't suit the PL. But United these days makes averybody look worse than he is and JZ came at a rather moderate price and will be able to be sold for at least something.