One of the biggest issues for Manchester United this season has been their ability in front of goal. The Red Devils have been incredibly underwhelming in that sense, managing just 29 goals in 26 games in the Premier League so far this term.
As per FBref, their underlying numbers are quite disappointing. They have an expected goals tally of 35.7xG, which is a disappointing -6.7 difference from their actual tally of 29 goals this term.
The number of goals they score per shot on target is the joint-worst in the English top flight, with 0.23. The club level with United at the bottom of the list is Southampton, rock bottom of the division and destined for relegation.
One player United will be turning toward for inspiration in front of goal is Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund’s 2024/25 season so far
The 2024/25 campaign has been a really disappointing one for Hojlund so far. He has scored just seven goals and has one assist to his name in 33 appearances, and is currently on a goal drought that goes back to the 12th of December.
In the Premier League, the Dane’s form has been even more disappointing. He has featured 21 times in the top flight this season, playing 1276 minutes in that time, the equivalent of 14 full 90-minute games. However, he has managed just two goals and hasn’t scored in 11 games.
This isn’t to say Hojlund can’t become a lethal goalcorer. He showed last season that is the case. In six Premier League games between December and February, the United number nine scored seven goals, becoming the youngest player to score in six Premier League games in a row.
With that being said, his form has been disappointing. Although he is young and should not have expectations piled upon him, the youngster would surely have wanted more goals at this stage of the season.
Perhaps, for United’s next game against Ipswich, manager Ruben Amorim will decide to make a change at centre-forward.
Man United’s alternative to Hojlund
There are not many options for Amorim should he decide to rotate Hojlund out of the side against the Tractor Boys. Joshua Zirkzee would be one candidate but given the shortage at number ten, it seems he might slot into a deeper role.
That leaves 17-year-old Chido Obi as the Red Devils’ best option as an alternative to Hojlund. The former Arsenal academy man has made two first-team appearances since making the move to United over the summer.
Described as a “homegrown” Osimhen during his time at Arsenal by academy expert Will Balsam, Obi’s first appearance for the club was a fleeting three-minute cameo in stoppage time against Tottenham Hotspur away from home.
He then came on for 20 minutes against Everton last weekend, and actually replaced Hojlund, further hinting that he could start ahead of the Dane against Ipswich.
For United’s academy sides this term, Obi has been in sensational form. In 12 appearances across all competitions for the academy, he has 12 goals and two assists.
That includes a phenomenal seven goals in three FA Youth Cup games, dismantling Chelsea along the way with four goals.
|
Obi’s record in 2024/25 FA Youth Cup |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Opposition |
Scoreline |
Minutes played |
Goals |
|
Coventry under-18s |
5-0 |
72 |
2 |
|
Preston North End under-19s |
5-2 |
90 |
2 |
|
Chelsea under-18s |
5-1 |
82 |
3 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|||
The young Danish striker could become United’s own Liam Delap, a young striker who is ripping it up for Ipswich this season. The England under-21 international has scored ten times in 25 Premier League games in 2024/25, in a side who have scored just 23 goals collectively.
One similarity between the pair relates to their first-team debut. Delap, a former Manchester City academy star, made his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side, after honing his craft in the Citizens academy. That is similar to Obi, whose professional debut came in a United shirt after impressing for the academy.
Amorim would be making a bold move to unleash Obi against Ipswich, but perhaps it is the right decision. United are short of goals, but here is a player who knows how to find the back of the net, and is an “outstanding” player, according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Having already been exposed to first-team football, the visit of Kieran McKenna’s men at Old Trafford on Wednesday night could be the perfect time for Obi to start his first professional game.
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