Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe doesn’t believe either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee should be sold this summer even if the club signs Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
In an exclusive interview with The Peoples Person, courtesy of Coin Poker, Sharpe identified Delap, 22, as “exactly” the type of signing Ruben Amorim’s side needs, predicting the young Englishman could develop into a “top, top player” at Old Trafford.
But Sharpe rejects the idea that Delap’s arrival could spell the end for one of the existing strikers as it would put too much dependence on the Ipswich striker.
Does Delap spell the end for Hojlund and Zirkzee?
Asked if Hojlund or Zirkzee have long-term futures with United, he states, ” I don’t think either of them can be let go. You can’t go into the season with just one centre-forward in Delap.”
In fact, the Premier League winning winger believes Hojlund could benefit from Delap’s arrival as it would provide help to the Danish international, rather than a hindrance.
“Hojlund needs another season. I think he needs to play less games, in a team that is producing better performances and more chances for him. He needs a foil there…someone to share the load.”
However, Sharpe mirrors Amorim’s assessment that Zirkzee is not an out-and-out striker, despite praising the 23-year-old Dutchman as a “baller” and predicting he will get even better next season.
“I don’t think Zirkzee is a number nine. He can play there when needs be and I’m sure he will have games there when there are suspensions and injuries. Zirkzee is creative, he can go past people, he can score or create goals. I think he needs a run in the team. He’s got some real abilities, and I really hope he stays – I think he’s going to be amazing.”
A Return for Rashford?
The final United attacker Sharpe touched on is one currently absent from Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford left his boyhood club in January, if only temporarily, to join Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season after a public dispute with Amorim over attitude and application in training.
Since joining Unai Emery’s side, the 27-year-old forward has offered evidence of a return to form, scoring 4 goals and providing 7 assists in 17 games. He has even been reinstated into the England squad by new Three Lions manager, Thomas Tuchel, after an extended absence under Gareth Southgate.
Villa retain a £40 million buy-option to make Rashford’s stay in Birmingham permanent. But there has been no discussions between the clubs over this, while the Carrington graduate continues to be linked with moves abroad.
Sharpe believes Rashford could make a dramatic return to Old Trafford if he can convince the club he is willing to fight for it. But if the same lackadaisical approach is displayed, an exit is in both parties’ best interests.
“If I was owner of Manchester United, I’d be calling Marcus Rashford in and asking him what he wants to make him happy. If he wants to come back to the club and work his socks, fit into the system that the manager wants, and train and play to the standards on and off the pitch that the manager expects, then there’s room for him.”
“If [Rashford] doesn’t want to do that, then he’s got to go elsewhere.”
Featured image Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
