Joshua Zirkzee vs Rasmus Hojlund - stats suggest clear Manchester United transfer conclusion

Manchester United need attacking reinforcement but are unlikely to see much come through the door this January due to the club’s stance on spending.

Club chiefs are pensive about dishing out too much cash amid Premier League finance rules following a £400m splash over the last 18 months. However, Erik ten Hag may already be keeping one eye on the summer when more funds will be available.

Joshua Zirkzee has been one name linked with an Old Trafford switch at the end of the season. The Bologna striker has eight goals and four assists in 22 matches this campaign and is helping his club towards a chase for a European place in Serie A.

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With the attacker’s contract not expiring until 2026, though, the 22-year-old will not come at a snip. Rasmus Hojlund set United back £72m in the summer and the club may be mindful about splashing out too much another forward this year given other areas are in need of strengthening.

And the stats suggest that United perhaps need not dive for Zirkzee anyway. MEN Sport has compiled a career comparison table between Zirkzee and Hojlund, which shows that the two are pretty similar when it comes to output.

Senior career stats compiled from fb.ref

When it comes to average output, the two are barely separable. Perhaps the only major gulf is regarding xG (expected goals) where Zirkzee looks more efficient than Hojlund. Interestingly, Hojlund’s xG rating in Serie A last season was -0.5.

So Zirkzee wins that battle but that alone is hardly a reason to justify investment when Hojlund's rating is likely to rise by the time he himself is 22.

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