Few seasons in Manchester United’s history have been as tepid as this one. The team struggles to keep the ball out of their net, keep possession and create clear-cut chances are a rarity. Even when those chances do come, they are seldom converted.
United’s attacking struggles have been epitomised by their two main strikers: Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Højlund arrived from Atalanta in August 2023 for a total fee of £72 million, while Zirkzee joined from Bologna a year later for £36.5 million. Neither has managed to justify their price tag so far. But just how bad have things been for United’s forwards compared to their Premier League rivals? Using data from OPTA, we take a deep dive into the numbers to see where Højlund and Zirkzee rank among their peers.
A Dismal Goalscoring Return
For any United fan, the numbers make for grim reading. While Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland lead the way in goals per 90 minutes, Højlund sits 20th out of 21 with just 0.16 goals per game. Zirkzee fares slightly better, ranking 17th with 0.31 goals per game, but still falls well below the league’s top strikers. In total, 16 Premier League strikers are currently outscoring the United duo, and United have failed to bring in reinforcements, which suggests their struggles may yet continue.
The situation looks no better when it comes to Expected Goals (xG). Højlund’s 0.20 xG per 90 minutes ranks him dead last among the league’s main strikers, while Zirkzee sits 17th with an xG of 0.34. These figures highlights their inability to make the most of the chances being created for them.
Shot Volume and Confidence Issues
A key indicator of a striker’s form and confidence is their shot volume. In this department, Højlund ranks 21st with just 1.05 shots per 90 minutes—a staggering statistic for a £72 million striker. By contrast, Haaland has 3.89 per 90 and Raúl Jiménez has 3.64 per 90. These two forwards lead the way, showing the stark difference in attacking output. Zirkzee, ranking 18th with 1.96 shots per game doesn’t fare much better, illustrating United’s struggles in even getting their strikers into shooting positions. The amount of shots in the Premier League that other forwards are having compared to Ruben Amorim's forwards is something that needs to be sorted as soon as possible.
Lack of Sharpness in the Box
Højlund’s woes extend to his involvement in the penalty area. He ranks bottom for touches in the opposition box with 2.84 per 90 minutes, which suggests a lack of movement or service. Zirkzee, however, is slightly more active, ranking 13th with 4.74 touches per 90 minutes.
In terms of shots on target, both strikers struggle. Højlund registers just 0.48 per 90, while Zirkzee isn’t much better at 0.82. The inability to hit the target emphasises United's problems this season.
Assists and Creativity: A Silver Lining?
While United’s strikers aren’t scoring, they do show glimpses of being more effective as creators. Zirkzee ranks fourth in the league for chances created per 90 (1.13), while Højlund sits 10th (0.89). This suggests that the duo are capable of linking play and setting up teammates, but their efforts aren’t being converted into goals—perhaps a damning indictment of United’s overall attacking unit.
When it comes to assists, Zirkzee ranks 13th with 0.10 assists per game, whilst Hojlund sits 21st with zero assists per game.
When it comes to Expected Assists (xA), Højlund's 0.06 per 90 ranks 14th, with Zirkzee's 0.09 sitting in 6th. These numbers indicate that both strikers are creating opportunities, but the final product remains lacking from the rest of the United team.
Dribbling and Take-On Struggles
Neither striker excels in beating defenders one-on-one. Zirkzee attempts 2.06 dribbles per 90 minutes, but with just a 30% success rate, he struggles to bypass defenders. Højlund attempts fewer dribbles (1.61 per 90), and also has a 30% success rate, further reinforcing the notion that dribbling isn’t a strong suit for either player.
United’s Striking Nightmare
The numbers paint a bleak picture for Manchester United’s strike force. Højlund and Zirkzee are among the least productive forwards in the league, ranking near the bottom in goals scored, expected goals, shot volume, and touches in the box. While they show some promise as creators, their primary role—putting the ball in the back of the net—is where they are failing the most.
With United already enduring one of their worst seasons in recent memory, the club faces a crucial dilemma: do they persist with their underperforming strikers and hope for improvement, or do they seek reinforcements in the transfer market? Either way, something has to change—and fast.
