10 Things We Learned From Man Utd 3-1 Club Brugge

3. Need For A Top Class Striker

Manchester Uniteds Memphis Depay during the Champions League play-off round, first leg soccer match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Nigel French/EMPICS Sport
Ever since Wayne Rooney put in his first transfer request I haven’t been his biggest fan. My main qualms with him are the ever increasing match-time he needs to get fully fit, his first touch and his need to drop deep and play Hollywood balls out to the wing. The latter may look easy on the eye but only slows the game down, allowing the opposition to catch up with play and get in to position. To me, he simply does not look up to leading the line this season. 

He put in a slightly improved performance against Brugge (his back-heel to set up Memphis was sublime) but still doesn’t look like finding the net. I would be shocked if he managed to score 30+ goals this season, which is what United need if they are going to persist with 1 striker up top.

Javier Hernandez looked decent when he came on but it is clear van Gaal doesn’t trust him to start games. If he doesn’t purchase another striker before the transfer window closes, I think it will cost United another trophyless season, such is the importance of the number 9. Again I’d welcome your thoughts on this readers.

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Contributor

British Actor and Writer of all things Manchester United. Comments and tweets happily received. Love stats analysis and opinion pieces.