Man Utd in talks to sign “remarkable” big-money Zirkzee upgrade this month

Manchester United have struggled to seek out any consistency within the Premier League this season, languishing in 14th place with 22 factors after 19 video games performed. The Pink Devils have only scored 21 goals (the fifth fewest within the division this season), with the likes of Leicester, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all scoring extra.

Ruben Amorim took cost of United in November, changing into the sixth particular person to take the position vacated by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Their new Portuguese supervisor has a really completely different type in comparison with earlier coaches resembling Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Erik ten Hag, lining his aspect up in additional of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

At his earlier membership, Amorim had Viktor Gyokeres, who was scoring for enjoyable. Now he has the selection between Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, each of whom have their strengths, however with the Pink Devils struggling to seek out the again of the web on a constant foundation, one other ahead acquisition can’t be dominated out.

Man Utd taking a look at new centre ahead in January

In line with reports from journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United are one of many golf equipment stated to be enthusiastic about PSG ahead, Randal Kolo Muani. Bailey acknowledged within the stories that Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea had all held talks previously week with Kolo Muani’s workforce.

Regardless of receiving curiosity from Italy and Turkey too, the Frenchman is alleged to favor a transfer to England. Nonetheless, having paid £64.2m for him again in 2023, the French giants will wish to recoup a big payment for the 26-year-old, making the deal barely extra sophisticated.

Hailed as a participant with “remarkable technical ability” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani has made 14 appearances in all competitions for PSG so far this season, scoring two objectives, offering one help and totalling simply 453 minutes performed.

Joshua Zirkzee vs Kolo Muani comparability

Manchester United’s hanging duo have scored simply 11 objectives between them in all competitions this season, Hojlund making 22 appearances, scoring seven objectives and offering one help in 1,294 minutes, and Zirkzee making 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring 4 objectives, offering two assists in 1,062 minutes.

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Zirkzee was signed for a fee of around £36.5m from Bologna final summer time, however has discovered himself enjoying quite a lot of roles below the brand new coach, generally enjoying as one of many extensive inside forwards behind the striker, and different instances being tasked with being the focus for Amorim’s aspect.

Sadly, that hasn’t precisely gone in line with plan with the Dutchman hauled off after simply 33 minutes in opposition to Newcastle in what was his worst second at Previous Trafford thus far.

Zirkzee vs Kolo Muani comparability
Stats (per 90 minutes)	Zirkzee	Muani
Objectives	0.34	0.51
Assists	0.21	0.20
xG	0.34	1.06
Progressive Carries	0.88	1.92
Progressive Passes	2.94	1.73
Photographs Complete	2.28	3.23
Objectives/Shot	0.15	0.09
Key Passes	1.18	1.35
Shot-Creating Actions	2.65	3.27
Touches (Att Pen)	4.31	8.65
Aerial Duels Gained	1.57	2.31
Stats taken from FBref

So, when evaluating Zirkzee to Kolo Muani, you possibly can see the distinction of their play type, because the Dutch ahead supplies extra progressive passes and extra assists, trying to drop into pockets of area, hyperlink play and mix together with his teammates.

Alternatively, Kolo Muani appears to be a extra direct menace, working in behind, stretching opposition defensive strains, getting loads of touches in and across the penalty space, getting a excessive quantity of photographs off, and even successful his aerial duels, standing at 6 foot 1.

With Kylian Mbappe labelling his France teammate Kolo Muani as a “very complete” ahead, stating he’s a striker who presents “completely different sport choices” to the workforce, the 26-year-old could possibly be an excellent signing for the Pink Devils, so as to add a extra direct menace to their entrance line.