Manchester United’s striking woes deepened as Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund continued to struggle, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to make a bold tactical shift.
Hojlund, a £72m signing from Atalanta, has managed just two Premier League goals this season after netting five in his debut campaign.
Meanwhile, Zirkzee, brought in from Bologna for £36.5m, has scored only three times in 23 league outings.
Their lackluster performances culminated in a shock decision by Amorim last weekend when he benched both strikers against Crystal Palace, opting instead to deploy midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine.
Former United defender Paul Parker believes the move was more than just a tactical experiment—it was a message. Parker suggested Amorim was signaling his frustration with the club’s failure to secure a new striker in the transfer window, stating,
“He’s making a point to those above him that he needs someone. It didn’t have to be a massive name, just someone hungry to prove a point.”
United’s attacking options have thinned further following Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa. However, Parker backed Amorim’s decision to let Rashford go, citing the forward’s inconsistency and reluctance to engage in physical battles.
He noted, “You saw in the Ipswich game, yes, he scored, but he was non-existent as a centre forward. He doesn’t like players behind him, doesn’t like getting kicked.”
With United’s attacking struggles mounting, Amorim faces a tough challenge heading into the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Leicester City.
Parker admitted there are few viable changes available, comparing the team’s options to a “broken Ferrari” and a “Ford Focus.”
United will hope to reignite their season on Friday, but unless their misfiring forwards find form, Amorim’s patience may wear even thinner.