Sunday's 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford exposed a critical issue both clubs share despite their different trajectories this season: finding reliable goalscorers. Former United legend Wayne Rooney believes the match highlighted how both sides are struggling with their attacking options.
"You would never say Arsenal and Manchester United are having similar seasons, but Sunday's Premier League stalemate at Old Trafford was a reminder that they have something in common - a problem to solve up front," Rooney noted while analyzing the match for Match of the Day 2.
The Premier League's all-time record goalscorer for United emphasized the importance of having an effective number nine. "I always feel the teams with the best number nines have the best chance of winning things," said Rooney, who won five Premier League titles with United.
Arsenal, dealing with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, had to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency striker against United, a solution that proved largely ineffective. With Bukayo Saka also absent, the Gunners lacked attacking presence.
"A proper number nine - a forward who has played there his whole life - brings something different to any team," Rooney explained. "I am talking about that natural goalscoring instinct, which a player who is trying to learn the position probably doesn't have."
He added: "A midfielder playing forward like Merino can get hold of the ball and bring others into play, but what a goalscorer brings is that selfishness of wanting to be in the penalty area to finish chances."
The contrast with Liverpool, who have scored 17 more league goals than Arsenal this season, is stark. Rooney points out that while Liverpool might rotate their central striker position, they still have effective options with players like Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez all contributing goals alongside their main scorer Mohamed Salah.
For United, the struggles of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund were evident during Sunday's match. Neither striker has scored a Premier League goal this year, though Rooney believes this reflects broader team issues rather than solely individual failings.
"Before they scored at the end of the first half, United had managed one shot at goal and none on target," Rooney said. "Their problem was their lack of movement in midfield, because they could not make the passes to get up the pitch. Instead, they were forced to play balls up to Zirkzee and it was very hard for him to do anything with them."
Rooney sympathized with Zirkzee's difficult task, noting: "If the ball is getting chipped in to you around the halfway line, which is what Zirkzee was getting, and you haven't got the support in and around you, then it is very difficult and you have to work extremely hard."
When Hojlund replaced Zirkzee in the second half, his lack of confidence became apparent. Rooney highlighted a particular moment when Declan Rice managed to get back and tackle Hojlund after the ball broke for him in the area.
"That was purely down to a lack of confidence," Rooney observed. "You see Hojlund take a touch and then he is looking up to see where he wants to put his shot when he doesn't have the time for that. That's the kind of scenario where, as a striker, if you are scoring goals you don't even have to look up - you know where the goal is."
Despite these struggles, Rooney maintains faith in Hojlund. "He's a good player who works hard, which is really important. He needs that bit of luck as well, but once he gets a break then more goals will follow."
Looking ahead to potential solutions, Rooney discussed the summer transfer market, noting that Arsenal, United, Chelsea, and potentially Liverpool are all reportedly targeting strikers. He mentioned Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta and Newcastle's Alexander Isak as potential targets.
"Mateta is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals," Rooney said. "From watching Arsenal over the past few games in the Premier League, they have put a lot of balls into the box without having anyone to get on the end of them. I am sure he would help from that point of view."
On Isak, Rooney was particularly enthusiastic: "Isak would fit into any team. He has been fantastic over the past couple of years and scored a lot of goals. His link-up play and movement is brilliant too. You look at any team in the Premier League, and whether it is United and Arsenal or Liverpool then he would improve them, but I also think it will be very difficult to get him out of Newcastle. Why would they sell him?"
As the title race continues to favor Liverpool, and with both United and Arsenal struggling to find consistent goalscoring form, the summer transfer window may prove crucial for both clubs' prospects next season.
