Manchester United star can make Rúben Amorim a title challenger, but another ‘won’t make it’, says Ian Wright

Ian Wright has named the Manchester United star he feels can turn Rúben Amorim’s side into Premier League title challengers but admits another won’t make it at Old Trafford.

With Rúben Amorim taking over Manchester United’s first team after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, there’s much to anticipate.

Nearly a year into Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership, his vision for United is beginning to take form, and many expect Amorim to reshape the squad that Ten Hag assembled over the last two and a half years.

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Throughout the rest of this season, Amorim will likely evaluate each player, identifying those who fit his style and those he might consider letting go.

While rumours circulate about which players the 39-year-old manager plans to keep, sell, or bring in during upcoming transfer windows, much attention remains on how well United’s current squad can adapt to Amorim’s signature three-at-the-back formation.

Wirght: Højlund can ‘go hot’

Speaking on the latest episode of the Wrighty’s House podcast, former Premier League and Arsenal striker Ian Wright pinpointed Rasmus Højlund as a player who can take United to the next level.

“Do you know something? When I look at the strikers at Manchester United, I look at [Rasmus] Højlund and Zirkzee,” he said on

“Going forward, as a United player to take the club to the level they need to be – top-four, Champions League, title challengers – I can’t see in any formation Zirkzee making it from what I’ve seen so far.

“I can see it with Højlund. He looks like a future player with better players around him. He gives me the impression that if he gets in and around the box and he gets chances, he can go hot.

“I don’t see the same with Zirkzee. I look at him and his movement, I don’t see anything in his game that makes me think, “okay, there he is, I see what he can do”.

“I see that in Højlund and some of the others. I can see them easily levelling up, but I feel for Zirkzee.”

Striker is a priority

Further, Wright explained that, regardless of how good Højlund becomes, United need another striker in the squad to turn Amorim’s team into title challengers.

“United still need a striker. Whether they turn Marcus [Rashford] into that or they get a top striker in, they need one, to go alongside Højlund and maybe for Hojlund to be the back-up.

“I’m trying to think of Ruben Amorim coming in and who he’s going to play. Zirkzee will need to go through some massive transformation to play in the team ahead of other players.

“He’s definitely not a natural goalscorer. I’m still waiting to see it from him.”

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