Journo: 57-goal PL talisman who’s out of contract this year would be a ‘major upgrade’on Hojlund and Zirkzee

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·30 January 2025

Journo: 57-goal PL talisman who’s out of contract this year would be a ‘major upgrade’on Hojlund and Zirkzee

Despite shelling out £100.5 million on two strikers in 11 months, Manchester United are likely to be on the market again for a prolific frontman this summer.

Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee have had the desired impact fans had hoped for since they made their respective moves to Old Trafford in 2023 and 2024. While they’re still young and therefore have time to perfect their craft, there is reportedly an acknowledgement behind the scenes at Old Trafford that the duo don’t have what it takes to lead United’s frontline.

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One report from ESPN last week even claimed the Red Devils are open to selling Hojlund following just one-and-a-half seasons at the club, with a return to Serie A mooted as the most likely outcome for the misfiring Dane.

He is more of an out-and-out striker than his 23-year-old counterpart, as, by Zirkzee’s own admission, is something of a ‘9.5’ and is more fluid when it comes to dropping back on the pitch and trying to make something happen as a playmaker.

Remarkably, Mark Ogden has suggested that, had his situation been different this month, United should’ve pursued Dominic Calvert-Lewin to bolster Ruben Amorim’s options as a stop-gap signing.

Calvert-Lewin was a perfect fit for United this winter, claims journo

Calvert-Lewin is seeing out his final season with Everton. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

The England international has just been ruled out with yet another injury setback, ensuring he’ll stay at Goodison Park for the final six months of his contract.

“Everton, if they were a little bit further away from the relegation zone, I’d imagine [they’d] consider letting him go this window because it’s the last chance to get some money for Calvert-Lewin, who, in the past, has been an England striker. At one time, he was Harry Kane’s number two. A very talented player – a classic centre-forward: great in the air, good touch. The problem with Calvert-Lewin is his fitness record. He doesn’t stay fit long enough,” said Ogden via ESPN.

“But my point is that if you’re Man United in the last week of the window, you’re desperate for a striker. You’re not going to get [Viktor] Gyokeres, you’re not going to get [Benjamin] Sesko or [Victor] Osimhen. Would Calvert-Lewin – with six months left of his contract at Everton – be a smart move? Because neither Hojlund nor Zirkzee are showing any signs of scoring goals – they’ve got one goal between them since the beginning of December.

“So, my point is, yes, in an ideal world, Man United would spend €100m on Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon to solve their problems. That’s not going to happen. So they have to be smart. They have to look around what the options are, and I think Calvert-Lewin – he’s injured again, unfortunately- but if he was available and fit, I think for six months he would be a major upgrade on what United have got.”

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Journo: 57-goal PL talisman who’s out of contract this year would be a ‘major upgrade’on Hojlund and Zirkzee | OneFootball