If there is one consistent theme under Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager it’s that the team just have not scored enough goals.
The biggest victories Ten Hag’s side have accrued have been 3-0 or 3-1, just a three goal margin. The search for a truly ruthless goalscorer goes on.
If enough patience is shown, United’s strike solution could be playing for the academy. There have been extremely encouraging signs early this season.
Gabriele Biancheri has begun the season in terrific form, which has transferred over to youth international level too.
Gabriele Biancheri can’t stop scoring
Gabriele Biancheri was not one of the 12 youngsters selected on the USA tour. He was unlucky not to make the cut, but only looks to have used the snub as fuel to kick on.
Biancheri has scored four goals in three games at under-18s level already, and then scored just seconds after coming off the bench for the under-21s.
His under-18s goals included a strike in the derby with City, another in a win over Liverpool, and then a brace in the Premier League Cup win at Leicester, which signed off with a 97th minute winner.
His under-21 goal came in a 3-1 win over Blackburn, coming on as a late substitute and netting with his first touch.
Biancheri continued his scoring streak by scoring in Wales under-19s recent match, a 2-2 draw with Turkmenistan. He now has two goals in four games at this level.
Biancheri a natural goalscorer
17-year-old Gabriele Biancheri is a natural goalscorer, with a knack of being in the right place at the right time.
His instinctive instincts bear a resemblance to former Manchester United striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
He is the kind of penalty-box poacher United’s first team is currently missing, and his form really is worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses.
United signed Biancheri from Cardiff City in early 2023, and he made an impression immediately, scoring in his first under-18s game for the club.
Biancheri scored the goals at the end of last season to clinch United’s under-18s north title, taking his tally to the season to 16.
Gabriele Biancheri has trained with the first team
Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox was in attendance to watch the under-18s against Liverpool, with Biancheri showing his goalscoring prowess.
He is a young talent the club are very aware of, and have high hopes for. Biancheri was called up to train with the first team earlier this year when Rasmus Hojlund suffered an injury.
While Ethan Wheatley got the nod to step up, Biancheri is a more clinical finisher, just a year younger, and it is going to be fascinating to see if he can step up the pecking order in 2024/25.
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