Goals aren’t a problem as far as Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez is concerned. The Mexican starlet has proven on multiple occasions that he possesses the knack of coming off the bench to bag game-changing goals. Many United fans, however, maintain that his all-round game is far from good enough. Whilst Welbeck has shown that he can link up with Rooney with clever first-time touches and the ability to pick a pass, Hernandez can really struggle to force his way into a game in the same way. A big future lies ahead for the deadly South American, no doubt, but is he ready to be playing ninety minutes on a regular basis? He is yet to prove that United can rely on him for consistent performances.
That leaves Federico Macheda – big things were expected from the young Italian who Sir Alex Ferguson once described as “the best natural finisher at the club.” After bursting onto the first team scene in 2009 with a match-winning goal against Aston Villa, Macheda has failed to impress. A string of ineffective performances (thirty-three to be precise, with a return of just five goals) has led to him twice being shipped out on loan – firstly to Sampdoria, and then unsuccessfully to premier league side Queens park rangers for a portion of last season. Macheda will now return to United, but whether Ferguson sees him as a realistic first team option remains to be seen.
FF
So what are United’s options? They seem unwilling to spend, and it has been proven time and time again that Wayne Rooney cannot play effectively up front on his own, even with the quality of wide players that United possess. Ashley Young is currently starring in a “number ten role” for England, but this is not ideal in a side that includes Rooney, and his quality is required on the left –hand-side of the midfield. United have exciting young attacking players, that much is certain, but looking at the strikers that Ferguson is likely to name in his first team squad for the current season, it is hard for United fans to not feel an amount of concern.
If Rooney was to miss part of the season through injury, would they have the firepower to maintain a challenge at the top of the table? The decision to let Berbatov go is a difficult one to fathom, so perhaps it is time for United to use any money from that transfer to re-invest in a potent attacking threat.
Follow Craig on Twitter @craignan89
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