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Manchester United created quite a few chances but ended up losing 0-3 at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool in their final pre-season game of the US tour.
With Rasmus Hojlund out for six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury, Erik ten Hag was forced to play Jadon Sancho as a false nine and even deployed Marcus Rashford up top against the Merseysiders.
The Red Devils had 18 shots as compared to their opponents’ nine and were by far the more dominant side but failed to make their advantage count.
The Community Shield is just a week away and the Dutchman needs to find a solution by then. The club have signed Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna but he only recently joined training at Carrington.
Striker shortage again
The Netherlands international was busy with Euro 2024 and was thus granted additional leave. He is yet to play a game and will need time to adjust to his new surroundings and the manager’s demands.
This means he might not start the season and the former Ajax coach could be forced to keep playing Sancho or Rashford up top till then.
Last season, the Mancunian struggled in front of goal but he looks sharp so far and the Dutchman will be hoping to get the most out of the academy graduate.
However, the England international has, in the past, reiterated his desire to play down the left instead of as a striker and Ten Hag is aware of this.
The former Borussia Dortmund star seems to lack that aggressive touch upfront while skipper Bruno Fernandes also remains an option. The Portuguese did play there in games against Manchester City in the last campaign.
Ten Hag alluded to the same when posed the question after the Liverpool encounter. “That is what we can do (play Sancho up top) if we don’t have the availability of Rasmus,” the manager was quoted as saying by The Athletic.
“Of course, Joshua Zirkzee is coming in. He has started training. But he is not so long in training so it will take time and he has to adjust to English football and our way of playing.
Alternate options
“Jadon can of course play as a striker. He can also play in wide areas but it could be he is a good option. I think Marcus has done it before, he can do it and it is definitely an option.
“But I think he is more productive from the left inside, when he is coming inside, so when he can arrive there he is most effective. But we also have Bruno Fernandes as a striker as well.”
Whether the 20-time English league champions plump for another forward before the window closes remains to be seen. There have been links with Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The Bees hitman will only become a realistic target if Brentford lower their demands. United kick off their Premier League campaign against Fulham on August 16. Answers need to be found by then.
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