A former Manchester United forward, deemed a flop under Erik ten Hag, is now outperforming current strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund after leaving the club. With his resurgence in form, he is reportedly prepared to make a surprising return to Old Trafford.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will soon have the chance to strengthen his squad as he aims to reverse the club’s disappointing start to the season. For now, the 39-year-old must work with the existing roster and develop a system to maximize a group of players who have underperformed after high pre-season expectations.

Currently, Manchester United sits in an underwhelming 13th position in the Premier League, having secured only four victories in their first 11 matches under former manager Erik ten Hag. Amorim’s debut match against Ipswich Town presents an ideal opportunity to secure three points, especially against a team still winless at Portman Road this season.

One major question surrounds the Portuguese manager’s choice of center-forward to lead the attack. Despite having several options at his disposal due to the club’s substantial investment in recent years, United’s attacking output has been lackluster, managing only ten league goals this season—less than Erling Haaland’s individual tally at Manchester City.

Evaluating United’s Forward Line

Marcus Rashford, primarily deployed on the flanks, might be tested as a central striker under Amorim. During Amorim’s first training session, Rashford trained in a forward role, hoping to rediscover the form that earned him 30 goals in the 2022/23 season.

Meanwhile, Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who shared the striking responsibilities earlier this season, have struggled to make an impact. Højlund has scored just two goals in all competitions, while Zirkzee has only one to his name. Winger Alejandro Garnacho has surprisingly emerged as the club’s top Premier League scorer with three goals, edging out captain Bruno Fernandes.

The Weghorst Factor

Interestingly, former United loanee Wout Weghorst, now at Ajax, has outperformed both Zirkzee and Højlund this season. After being dismissed as “not good enough” for United, the 32-year-old has thrived in the Eredivisie, scoring four goals in nine matches. Comparatively, Weghorst averages a goal every 101 minutes this season, far better than Højlund (320 minutes per goal) and Zirkzee (699 minutes per goal).

The Road Ahead

Amorim faces the challenge of revitalizing the attack, getting the best out of underwhelming signings, and deciding whether reinforcements are needed in January. If the current forwards fail to deliver, changes will be imperative to avoid another season of mediocrity.