Man Utd vs Liverpool: Can Zirkzee or Hojlund Break United's Goal Drought?

Manchester United's Quest for a 20-Goal Scorer

One of the most pressing concerns for Manchester United in recent years has been their struggle to find a player capable of scoring 20 Premier League goals in a season. Since Robin van Persie netted 26 goals in the 2012/13 season, United has not seen a player reach the 20+ goal milestone in the league.

League Trends: Who’s Scoring?

Since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, 10 different teams have had players score 20 or more goals in a single Premier League season. Leading the charge is Manchester City, who have had four players achieve this remarkable feat:

• Sergio Aguero (five times)
• Erling Haaland (twice)
• Yaya Toure
• Raheem Sterling

Liverpool, who face Manchester United live on Sky Sports at 4 pm this Sunday, have also seen four players hit the 20-goal mark over the last 11 seasons:

• Mohamed Salah (four times)
• Sadio Mane
• Daniel Sturridge
• Luis Suarez

Players Recruited to Turn the Tide

One significant change at Manchester United was the appointment of legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as assistant to manager Erik ten Hag. Van Nistelrooy, who consistently scored over 20 goals during his peak Premier League seasons, is expected to provide insights on improving their scoring record.

From the 2012/13 season onwards, the most prolific goal scorers for Manchester United have been Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo, each reaching 18 goals in their respective seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22). Last season, United's top scorers managed only 10 goals each, marking the fewest by a top scorer for the club in five decades.

A Look at Historical Data

In total, Manchester United players have achieved the 20-goal milestone in the Premier League on ten occasions, with Van Nistelrooy contributing significantly to this tally, showcasing a scoring average that remains unparalleled in the league. Other notable scorers have included Wayne Rooney, Dwight Yorke, Dimitar Berbatov, and Ronaldo.

Last Season's Struggles

Last season, Manchester United managed only 57 goals in the Premier League, tying in scoring with Crystal Palace and finishing only five goals ahead of relegated Luton Town. Comparatively, their tally was significantly lower than that of their rivals, with Manchester City scoring 96 goals and Arsenal managing 91.

A New Hope: Zirkzee and Hojlund

This summer, United sought to remedy their striking woes by signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5 million. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Zirkzee marked an impressive debut by scoring the winner against Fulham, where he previously ranked as Bologna's top scorer with 11 goals in Serie A.

Notably, Zirkzee's playing style involves consistent engagement with the ball; he averaged 49.5 touches per 90 minutes, the highest among recognized centre-forwards in Serie A. In contrast, Rasmus Hojlund averaged 28 touches per 90 minutes last season in the Premier League.

Match Day: United vs. Liverpool

As Manchester United prepares for their upcoming match against Liverpool, statistics weigh in favor of player Marcus Rashford, who has netted seven goals in his last nine appearances against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Will he step up and contribute to breaking the goal drought this weekend?

In summary, Manchester United's current search for a prolific goal scorer remains vital as they aim to return to their winning ways. The historical context, latest signings, and upcoming matches will certainly shape the narrative for this storied club.