Our Strikers - 2021/22 Season

[Isotope]

So United had 61 games last season, of which the likes of Bruno and Rashford played 58 and 57 games respectively.

So far for 2021/22 Season, we have Cavani as our main striker, with options of Rashford, Martial, and Greenwood.

- Cavani is 34 y.o. going 35 next year.
- Martial, just having a forgettable season (to put it mildly).
- Rashford, would need a surgery, and he's frankly not a good striker.
- Greenwood, is 19/20 y.o. and played as right forward in the last two seasons.

I don't see Cavani is capable of playing and giving 100% for 50+ games. And he needs rotation or back up during games.
So now we are gambling on the other 3 players. I said gambling, because none could give strong conviction as capable of sharing Cavani's burden, imho

So, what's the solution?
- Keep on gambling that Eddie would be fit and can play all games?
- Believe the other three would step up as reliable striker options, especially Greenwood?
- Get another experienced striker, like Cavani?
- etc.

Maybe it's another low quality thread, but not much going on anyway.

 

[kidbob]

Hopefully with the signing of Sancho we'll see the full transition of Mason to that role. I'd expect it to be Rashford at first with Pogba on the left (if he stays) but that is Mason's position for me. And I think he has played enough senior football and shown enough that he needs to eased into that role now. Its not a position I'd be massive on dealing with this season, as we have other more gaping holes. Maybe this is dreaming but perhaps we can use Sancho to tempt Haaland next year if we have a good season and Dortmund manage to hold onto him for one more year.

I think Mason is close to ready to surprise a lot of people in that role though. I mean it is the position that he shone in as a youth player and yes his movement might not be there yet but the thing is that we have never actually seen what he has to offer in that role over a number of games.

 

[Isotope]

Hopefully with the signing of Sancho we'll see the full transition of Mason to that role. I'd expect it to be Rashford at first with Pogba on the left (if he stays) but that is Mason's position for me. And I think he has played enough senior football and shown enough that he needs to eased into that role now. Its not a position I'd be massive on dealing with this season, as we have other more gaping holes. Maybe this is dreaming but perhaps we can use Sancho to tempt Haaland next year if we have a good season and Dortmund manage to hold onto him for one more year.

I think Mason is close to ready to surprise a lot of people in that role though. I mean it is the position that he shone in as a youth player and yes his movement might not be there yet but the thing is that we have never actually seen what he has to offer in that role over a number of games.

That's what I'm expecting to see. it's just Mason was rarely played as striker last season. He should be eased in more last season, if he'll be the main back up this 21/22 season.

Rashford is just not a striker. And he'll have surgery, so expecting to take months before he's ready to even play.

It will be interesting to see how it goes. But lesson from Sir Alex, we shouldn't be playing around with strikers options.

 

[CG1010]

We have Cavani who by the looks of it is fit enoigh to play 60% matches. And with signing of Sancho the plan must be to transition Greenwood to CF which can start this year.

If it doesn't work, then we do have Martial who was our #9 for last two seasons and also Rashford. If nothing else we can change formation and Bruno can play false 9 (although we haven't tried it, I am sure it will work).

Not worries about striker position for this season.

 

[kidbob]

That's what I'm expecting to see. it's just Mason was rarely played as striker last season. He should be eased in more last season, if he'll be the main back up this 21/22 season.

Rashford is just not a striker. And he'll have surgery, so expecting to take months before he's ready to even play.

It will be interesting to see how it goes. But lesson from Sir Alex, we shouldn't be playing around with strikers options.

Oh I absolutely agree its just that we can't do it this season so have to hope for the best. Like I said my ultimate hope is that we can use Sancho as leverage to tempt Haaland next year. And as mad as that idea is I don't think its impossible especially since Ole has a relationship with him too.

 

[marktan]

I think too many people are dismissing Martial off the back of one season. Like Shaw he's technically very gifted, I think he'll have a good season. Especially as Sancho is a player that likes playing one two's on the move, something Martial is also good at.

 

[Desert Eagle]

We will swap between Cavani and Martial for most of the season. Greenwood still needs to develop his physicality to be our striker for large parts of the season though he could fill in from time to time. If we get player of the season martial from the season before last then we're sorted, if not one injury could be a big problem.

 

[The Boy]

I think too many people are dismissing Martial off the back of one season. Like Shaw he's technically very gifted, I think he'll have a good season. Especially as Sancho is a player that likes playing one two's on the move, something Martial is also good at.

Exactly, I came in to write this post!

Don't write off Martial, he's easily a 20 plus goals per season striker, if he can stay fit.

 

[Rustyspider13]

Cavani as first choice and Martial as backup with Greenwood ready if needed will probably be good enough. Martial can't be any worse than last season and the rest might have allowed him to get his head back in the game.

Worst case scenario, Greenwood goes through trial by fire. He was very mature in his performance in that Leicester game at OT. It gave me hope that Mason can lead the line next season in an emergency.

 

[Isotope]

We will swap between Cavani and Martial for most of the season. Greenwood still needs to develop his physicality to be our striker for large parts of the season though he could fill in from time to time. If we get player of the season martial from the season before last then we're sorted, if not one injury could be a big problem.

So it comes down to Martial. Are we going to depend our season to Martial coming decent again? Our problem is having a 34/35 y.o. as main striker; thus it is obvious he needs to be managed well to stay sharp.

 

[Isotope]

Cavani as first choice and Martial as backup with Greenwood ready if needed will probably be good enough. Martial can't be any worse than last season and the rest might have allowed him to get his head back in the game.

Worst case scenario, Greenwood goes through trial by fire. He was very mature in his performance in that Leicester game at OT. It gave me hope that Mason can lead the line next season in an emergency.

I see posts with these similar nuance. "Believe", "faith", "he will" about Martial. I mean, it's ok to have those feeling. But I wish the team won't place it's future on feeling but a more concrete plan.

 

[Rustyspider13]

I see posts with these similar nuance. "Believe", "faith", "he will" about Martial. I mean, it's ok to have those feeling. But I wish the team won't place it's future on feeling but a more concrete plan.

To me, it seems the concrete plan is Haaland next summer. There aren't any other top quality attainable strikers at this time. So we have no choice but to pin our hopes on Martial being a good enough backup for one season. And as I said, if it comes down to it, Mason can hopefully step up.

 

[Desert Eagle]

So it comes down to Martial. Are we going to depend our season to Martial coming decent again? Our problem is having a 34/35 y.o. as main striker; thus it is obvious he needs to be managed well to stay sharp.

Yup it does. Apart from the likes of Haaland, Kane etc he's about as good as it gets as well. Like marktan said I hope Sancho can help him with the give n go's and more one touch passing.

 

[Trequarista10]

Cavani first choice with Greenwood second choice being integrated in seems logical. Martial seems like a bit of a wild card these days but as long as he's here he's a decent option at LW or CF.

Will lead to a big decision next summer though. Presumably Cavani will leave, and then it'll be a big decision as to whether to fully back Greenwood to be our leading 9 and to bring in another Cavani esque experienced rotation option, or whether to go big on a top class number 9.

 

[GueRed]

I think too many people are dismissing Martial off the back of one season. Like Shaw he's technically very gifted, I think he'll have a good season. Especially as Sancho is a player that likes playing one two's on the move, something Martial is also good at.

They both like to drop off and balls played to feet.

If they both play who will make the runs in behind?

 

[GueRed]

So it comes down to Martial. Are we going to depend our season to Martial coming decent again? Our problem is having a 34/35 y.o. as main striker; thus it is obvious he needs to be managed well to stay sharp.

We shouldn't rely on unreliable, unmotivated players..

 

[charlenefan]

We started last season as Martial as first choice and Cavani as back up with Greenwood being an option
This season we'll start with Cavani a first choice and Martial as back up with Greenwood being an option

 

[Dante]

Assuming Lingard, Mata, Pogba and Martial leave...

Rashford-----------Cavani-----------Sancho
James-----------Greenwood-----------Amad

Then next season, there'll be space for Elanga, McNeill or Hugill to stake a claim if they're ready. Maybe even Shoretire. If not, we can always go out and buy someone new.

I'm very comfortable with our frontline. It's the perfect mix of age, experience and specialists - with room for youth to challenge if they're good enough.

 

[Nytram Shakes]

We started last season as Martial as first choice and Cavani as back up with Greenwood being an option
This season we'll start with Cavani a first choice and Martial as back up with Greenwood being an option

Not sure about the martial as backup, I think Greenwood may have surpassed him as back up

 

[largelyworried]

Cavani will be our "first choice" but will only play half the games (maybe "preferred choice" is a better term), with a mix of Rashford, Greenwood & Martial up front when he's not around. Which will work most of the time, but will occasionally fall short, and in my view will be part of the reason we're won't win the league next season.

But its better than it was last year, and that was better than it was the year before. So its still progress.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

Cavani will be our "first choice" but will only play half the games (maybe "preferred choice" is a better term), with a mix of Rashford, Greenwood & Martial up front when he's not around. Which will work most of the time, but will occasionally fall short, and in my view will be part of the reason we're won't win the league next season.

But its better than it was last year, and that was better than it was the year before. So its still progress.

It really depends. Cavani got better as the season progressed so I'm hoping he could have a great season. Agree with your initial point though, he won't play every game. A lot will then rest on the progress of the other three. Can Rashford regain his top form perhaps after surgery? Will Martial be as poor as last season again or was that an off season, at his best he's still a top player. Can Greenwood make that step up from squad player to starter? Lots of if, buts and maybe's but I think at least one of those scenarios is likely. If I had to bet, I think Greenwood could really step up and become an undisputed starter next season.

 

[Jaxa]

I honestly think we still need another striker,

If we could get Danny Ings for 15m I would snap Sotons hand off, just for those games where you need something a bit different from the bench, I believe next season we will be focusing on Haaland and Cavani will also be gone, Ings isn't a glamorous signing but if cheap he really could be the difference in those tricky games against a Palace or Brighton for example

 

[sincher]

I don't get that. We have Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford and Martial. Isn't that enough? It seems fine to me. Ings for us would just stagnate on the bench. Plus of course there is no way anyone is buying him for £15m.

I mean if we were to sign Haaland and sell Martial then that's different, but that's not likely to happen.

 

[sincher]

Perhaps another point to make, if a bit obvious, is that the PL winners last season went on their long winning run generally playing no real strikers at all. The two strikers they had in their squad had less than 2500 minutes (less than each of Ederson, DIas, Rodri and Sterling) between them. I don't think we necessarily need out and out strikers. Attacking players, yes, but we have just signed a very good one.

 

[JB7]

I think too many people are dismissing Martial off the back of one season. Like Shaw he's technically very gifted, I think he'll have a good season. Especially as Sancho is a player that likes playing one two's on the move, something Martial is also good at.

Nobodies dismissing him off the back of bad one season. They're dismissing him on account of only having one good season in the last five.

People moan about the clubs loyalty in dishing out contract extensions to players like Jones or Mata etc but the same people are always more than happy to keep giving chances to incredibly talented players who turn up one game in ten because they think they'll turn it round eventually.

 

[SmashedHombre]

Have to admit I do love the idea of our front 3 being Rashford--Greenwood--Sancho. Three rapid, technically gifted English attackers as our front line would be fantastic to see. Doubt that will be the case often though - at least not in the first half of the season, anyway.

 

[Isotope]

I don't get that. We have Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford and Martial. Isn't that enough? It seems fine to me. Ings for us would just stagnate on the bench. Plus of course there is no way anyone is buying him for £15m.

I mean if we were to sign Haaland and sell Martial then that's different, but that's not likely to happen.

We didn't win anything with those last season, or the season before that also. And Rashford is not a striker (and after surgery, who knows how long he'll be fit).

Maybe a loan would suit us better?

 

[Isotope]

Perhaps another point to make, if a bit obvious, is that the PL winners last season went on their long winning run generally playing no real strikers at all. The two strikers they had in their squad had less than 2500 minutes (less than each of Ederson, DIas, Rodri and Sterling) between them. I don't think we necessarily need out and out strikers. Attacking players, yes, but we have just signed a very good one.

They have different type of manager.

 

[bosnian_red]

For this season we're fine. All fully fit, I'd expect:

Cavani
Rashford Bruno Sancho
​

Greenwood the first sub if literally any of those get injured or rested, Martial the 2nd (and just a reshuffle as appropriate). All very versatile, all very good options where we don't lose quality if we get injuries. Dan James the 3rd depth option as of now.

If Martial goes which I think is a possibility, then I think we need a Danny Ings, experienced scorer type to be a rotation option up top. Greenwood has the potential and the physique to be the main striker, it just takes time. Whether he is ready to be the main guy in 22/23 will depend on his transformation this season, it might be a bit too soon still, but we'll see.

 

[AgentP]

If we sign a striker, it should be someone like Haaland or Kane. Else, it's better to strengthen other areas of the pitch as we have enough back up for the striker position. We should start the season with Mason as our No.9 as Cavani would need some rest after Copa America. Martial also could start on the left if Rashford has his surgery after the Euros. Our players who are starters in their respective national teams should be eased in and given time to recover.

So, for our first game of the season, I would go with

Greenwood
Martial -- Bruno -- Sancho​

 

[He'sRaldo]

As we've seen the past decade, a productive left footed, right sided winger/forward is quite a rare thing to find.

It would be quite dumb to have a top prospect that fits the bill fall into our lap, only for us to insist he must play as striker when he's already playing the RW role excellently.

Greenwood should be first choice for RW unless Amad becomes a sure thing, as it's very difficult to buy a player of Greenwood's profile. I never got the desperation to force him to play as a striker when his value would actually be higher to us as a RF.

 

[Tallis]

Mason did well playing at 9 vs Leicester. Scored a goal as well. Think we will see him their more often. 30-35 games for Cavani and 20-25 for Mason.

 

[bsCallout]

Greenwood will feature a lot more at CF, Martial will play a lot too and will link very well with Bruno and Sancho.

I expect our front 4 to all be hitting similar numbers.

Martial
Greenwood
Rashford
Cavani
Sancho
Bruno
Amad

That is a lot of goals.

Unlike most people I'm really looking forward to seeing Sancho and Martial link up. Bruno and Martial had a good connection and I think Martial and Sancho will like playing together too.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

If Martial is still here, then we are good to go on striking options. He's a fantastic backup option regardless of how much people hate hate him, and Greenwood will continue to get more looks in at the 9 as well.

Now if Martial is sold, then no doubt we need to replace him with either another prospect or a stopgap replacement until we can go in next summer for a striker. But I wouldn't worry about that, because we aren't going to sell Martial and not replace that spot either way.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Big Daddy Greenwood will share with Cavani next season and kill it.

 

[Kung Fu Cantona7]

Sell Pogba.
Sell Martial.
Sell De Gea.

Sign Messi and Ronaldo.

 

[Isotope]

Big Daddy Greenwood will share with Cavani next season and kill it.

Would love to see this. He bulks up a lot in the last couple season. So physically he maybe ready.

 

[MadMike]

I still fully expect Greenwood to play on the right with only the odd game in the middle. I expect us to start the season with Sancho left, Greenwood right and Martial up top.

Rashford will probably get that shoulder op and miss the first month or so, while Cavani will probably get used sparingly at the start to keep him fresher for the second half of the season and to give Martial a final chance to recapture his 19/20 form.

That’s still a very strong front 3 in my book.
I hope Amad gets some gamesome as well either on the right or as a sub for Bruno. Bruno and Rashford got overplayed last season, I hope we don’t make the same mistake again. We have the bench now.

 

[Commentary]

I'm more curious about the 22/23 season.

If I was a betting man I'd say

Manchester City acquires Harry Kane
Chelsea potentially acquires Erling Haaland (Unless he chooses to go to Real Madrid)
Inter Milan holds on to Romela Lukaku as he prefers playing in La Liga

So if Cavani leaves at the end of this summer, do United, purchase another aging striker until Mason Greenwood develops, or......do they go out and get someone like Dominic Calvin Lewis?

 

[Gator Nate]

I'm thinking it'll be Martial - Cavani - Sancho up front with Greenwood taking relief for Cavani in the middle, primarily, and Sancho on the right. Rashford will get his surgery, Martial will be left full-time until he comes back, with occasional relief from James. Amad will get the bulk of his early appearances as a sub, particularly in the CL group games, and a starter in early cup tournament games.