by Cole’s challenge to Hojlund & Zirkzee
ManU legend Andy Cole demands goals from strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
He told Betfred: “Everyone needs a full pre-season. If you miss a pre-season or miss a couple of weeks, you always have to catch up. When you start the season and have to catch up, it gets a bit difficult because everyone else is a couple of weeks ahead of you.”
“In the pre-season game against Arsenal, Rasmus looked fit and strong after returning from the European Championships, and those are his strengths anyway because he is a physical, old-fashioned centre-forward.
“I spoke to him briefly and he is looking forward to the new season. There is no doubt that he just wants to go out and score as many goals as possible.”
“Manchester United haven’t had a striker who has scored 25 goals in a season for some time, so it has to be one of Rasmus or Zirkzee, or hopefully the two of them could score 15 goals each and then there are others who can step in around them.”
United business
Man Utd will be hoping to complete more deals during the transfer window.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, they want to sign up to four new players.
The Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are reportedly close to signing.
De Light supports
Lee Sharpe believes Matthijs De Ligt could solve Man Utd’s defensive problems.
Sharpe told Safest Casino Sites: “De Ligt is a footballing centre-back – he is good on the ball and can even get in front of the defence to break things up and keep the passing game going.
“I like his ability to get the ball out of defence when opposition players press high and tight on the edge of United’s penalty area.
“I think he can play through the pressing phase very well and also help create chances from the build-up phase. I think he will be good at both ends of the pitch.”
“The injuries Manchester United have suffered in central defence have been unbelievable. I don’t think they had the same centre-back duo for more than three games in a row last season, which is remarkable.”
“Matthijs de Ligt would solve some problems and ensure that they have enough defenders ahead of the new season.”
Praise for Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes was praised by Rio Ferdinand for his attacking performance against Man City.
In his podcast “Rio Reacts” he said: “One thing I want to achieve with Bruno this season. He played on the false nine today, which is great. When Hojlund comes back, I just want to see Bruno higher up the positions to hurt teams.”
“When he’s in the final third, there’s no other player in the team I want on the ball to pass it to other players or shoot. He’s majestic in those positions.”
Ferdinand’s reservations about de Ligt
Rio Ferdinand has expressed his uncertainty regarding the signing of Matthijs de Ligt.
“He’s had a lot of injuries, hasn’t started many games in the last two or three years and Man United are spending £45-50m on him,” he told Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“Will he come to Man United and make a difference?”
“I think this is a big challenge for him and all eyes will be on him. Big pressure, big opportunities for him, but I think there is a lot of uncertainty with this signing because his previous seasons at two big clubs did not go as well as we would have expected.”
Man Utd wants “at least three more” signings
Man Utd have already invested heavily in their squad this summer with the signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, as well as upcoming new signings Matthjis de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.
However, on his playback channel, Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Man Utd currently have no plans to cut back on spending.
Quoted by GiveMeSport, he said: “Man United will attack the market.
“Man United want to sign at least three more, it could be four, and now we have the two players they wanted.
“Mazraoui and De Ligt are going to Manchester United because the deal with Bayern is done.
“And we must mention that Manchester United were successful in the negotiations because they got the deal they wanted.
“The time frame has probably been longer than expected, but it was worth it for Manchester United as they always wanted to include additional agreements in both negotiations.”
