"Gives you an added dimension": Ex-ace reveals the style of player Man Utd really need - opinion

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Speaking to Love Sport Radio, former Manchester United man Clayton Blackmore has insisted the club desperately need to sign a different profile of forward to Marcus Rashford.

What did he say?

Until recent results, the Red Devils have struggled to consistently find the back of the net with any regularity. In the Premier League, they have still only managed to score 19 goals this season, with Sean Dyche’s Burnley even managing more than them (20).

Now, Blackmore has insisted the Manchester side could really do with a centre-forward who can bring something else to the table, insisting such a move could give them an “added dimension”.

He said: “Rashford is not enough alone. He’s still learning the game – he grew up a winger and he’s learning to be a striker. He’s done fantastically and he’s a massive threat, but we need something else – United need a target man. A target man allows you to get the ball up to him and then use pace to feed off those knock downs. If you try to play through teams again and again, they will work you out. That extra power gives you an added dimension.”

Firepower

As Blackmore alludes to, United’s current strike-force appears to be one-dimensional. The likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial and even Mason Greenwood thrive on their natural pace and movement, and it has been no surprise to see that the Red Devils’ best performance to date this season remains their 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea – a game that looked so open.

Bringing in a centre-forward like Mario Mandzukic or Edin Dzeko – both of whom have been linked with a move to the club in recent weeks – would give Solskjaer the ability to change approaches for a game. United run the risk of becoming far too predictable in wanting to play on the counter-attack, and having a more physical presence up front could add another string to their bow. Blackmore’s assessment certainly has some logical thinking behind it.

Meanwhile, a Manchester United swoop for Edin Dzeko would make a whole load more sense than a move for Mario Mandzukic.

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