Man Utd have been made to look stupid. (Image: Getty)
had a to solve their goalscoring woes by signing red-hot Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy in January 2024. The French-Guinean star was in the middle of a record season that finished with 30 goals in as many games, after which it was too late for United to change their minds.
Borussia Dortmund emerged as the club willing to pay Guirassy’s £14.5million release clause and have since reaped the rewards.
On the same day that United’s forwards continued to falter in front of goal against Everton at Goodison Park, the 28-year-old netted four times in a 6-0 win against Union Berlin.
He has now totalled 23 goals and six assists in 31 games since joining Dortmund from their Bundesliga rivals in the summer.
United’s top goalscorer this season, , hasn’t achieved half that tally. His free-kick to spark a 2-2 comeback against Everton was his 10th strike of the campaign.
The Red Devils were reportedly reluctant to cough up £14.5m to sign Guirassy, considering he had never produced as prolific a season before in his career at the age of 27.
However, he scored 14 times in 29 outings in the previous season. Months before snubbing the towering frontman, United sanctioned a £72m deal for a striker who had 16 in 42 matches in the same campaign.
was painted as a long-term investment and scored 16 goals across all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford.
Serhou Guirassy is in fine goalscoring form. (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Yet, United were short of goals and, again, decided to snub an established scorer when they spent £36.5m on Joshua Zirkzee last summer.
Four years younger than Guirassy was, sure. But he also managed 12 strikes in 37 appearances for Bologna across the previous year and cost more than twice as much.
Hojlund hasn’t scored in 15 games. Zirkzee has two in his last 19. Alejandro Garnacho is enduring a 19-game drought. Amad, closest to Fernandes with nine goals, is unlikely to play again this term.
It is no surprise that only four teams have scored fewer than United’s measly total of 30 goals in 26 Premier League games this season.
‘s side haven’t scored a first-half league goal for 11 games, a run stretching back to December 7.
Their blank before the break at Goodison Park was their 20th in 26 league fixtures this season.
This summer, United are once again expected to delve into the striker market in search of a player capable of regularly putting the ball in the net.
But it could’ve been one less problem position to address if the club didn’t ignore a bargain deal for one of Europe’s most goal-thirsty stars last year.