Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck 'will get his chance' to score against a defensively vulnerable Manchester City side in Saturday's Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium, Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole.
At a time when Man City's first-team resources are heavily depleted, Pep Guardiola is relishing the challenge of swiftly turning his side's fortunes around on the back of suffering three straight defeats in all competitions for the first time since April 2018.
After losing 2-1 against both Tottenham Hotspur (EFL Cup) and Bournemouth (Premier League), Man City were put to the sword 4-1 by Ruben Amorim's Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday - just the third time that a Guardiola team has ever conceded four goals in a single UCL game.
Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken openly about the club’s pressing need for a proven, reliable goalscorer if they are to re-establish themselves as a force in both the Premier League and Champions League. Reflecting on his time as a prolific striker for United, Van Nistelrooy highlighted the difference a clinical forward can make, especially for a club with United's ambitions. Without a regular and effective goal-scorer, United’s aspirations to consistently challenge the top teams in England and Europe have become increasingly difficult to fulfill.
Van Nistelrooy's comments underscore an urgent area for improvement, one that has plagued United since the departure of some of their legendary forwards and continues to affect their performances.
The current season has seen two young talents, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, trying to make their mark as forwards for the Red Devils. However, despite their potential, they have only managed three goals between them across all competitions. Hojlund, who had a promising first season at Old Trafford last year by scoring 16 goals in 43 appearances, has struggled to maintain that form. He has netted just twice in 11 outings this term, a disappointing tally for a club that aims to secure silverware and re-establish its dominance.
Zirkzee, who has played in 16 matches, has only scored once, illustrating the team's difficulty in finding consistent goal-scoring options. This lack of firepower has often left United’s attack blunt, especially against tough opponents.
These challenges have reignited discussions surrounding the club’s previous transfer targets. Last summer, former United manager Erik ten Hag recognized the need for an elite striker and pushed for the signing of England captain Harry Kane. Kane, then at Tottenham Hotspur, was one of the most consistent goal-scorers in the Premier League, making him an ideal candidate to lead United’s attack. However, a move to United didn’t materialize, and Kane ultimately joined Bayern Munich, where he has continued his goal-scoring exploits. Missing out on Kane was a major blow, as he could have addressed the very issue Van Nistelrooy is now raising — a void left unfilled by the lack of a marquee striker.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored an impressive 150 goals in 219 appearances for United, understands better than most the impact a clinical striker can have. During his tenure as a player, United relied heavily on his finishing ability to win matches, and his consistency in front of goal played a crucial role in the club’s success. As someone who thrived under the pressure of high expectations, Van Nistelrooy recognizes the influence that a top-tier forward can bring to a team, not just in terms of goals but also in setting the tone for the entire squad. He knows that when a forward is capable of reliably scoring in big moments, it elevates the team’s overall performance and mentality.
Mitoma vs. Walker or Mitoma vs. Lewis?
Another Brighton star who Man City must keep an eye on is dribbling king Kaoru Mitoma, with Guardiola set to weigh up whether Kyle Walker or Rico Lewis will be best suited at right-back to quell the threat of the speedy Japanese winger.
Walker made a somewhat surprise return from injury last weekend and was thrown straight into the starting lineup for the defeat at Bournemouth, but it was clear that the Englishman was far from his best at the Vitality Stadium.
Once known for his electric pace and athleticism, 34-year-old Walker is now on the decline in the eyes of McInerney, who would prefer to see Lewis handed a start at right-back against Brighton, with Savinho providing support on the flank.
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