Manchester United fans want to see Erik ten Hag deploy a brand-new attacking trio in Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace.
It’s been a tough start to the 2024/25 season for Manchester United but they have at least got back amongst the wins and the goals after the international break.
After a nervy start in which they were unfortunate not to fall behind, Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Southampton 3-0 last weekend and then decimated Barnsley in the Carabao Cup 7-0.
United’s biggest win ever remains the 10-0 destruction of Anderlecht in 1956 but it’s still the first time they have truly demolished an opponent since beating Southampton 9-0 in 2021.
Next up for United is a tricky trip to Crystal Palace and with even tougher fixtures against Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brentford to come, as well as the first Europa League games, it’s crucial they get another three points on the board.
Alejandro Garnacho was the star of the show against Barnelsy, scoring two and setting up another two to take his goal contributions in just 255 minutes of football this season to seven.
The Argentine has started just once in the Premier League and has been making a big impact off the bench but some United fans want to see him start at Selhurst Park alongside Amad and Marcus Rashford in a new-look front three.
Fans want to Garnacho, Rashford and Amad in attack
Amad has perhaps been United’s strongest performer so far, with the 22-year-old flourishing after being given his long-awaited chance in the starting XI.
He has a goal and an assist but is almost always involved in every promising United attack.
Rashford, meanwhile, is beginning to look like his old self again with three goals already, which is nearly half of the measly eight he managed all last season after just four games.
With all three forwards hitting form, it’s no surprise fans want to see them all play together.
One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I want to see Garnacho Rashford Amad as front 3. I saw the spark back in Rashford as the no 9”, while another added: “Front 3 of Garnacho, Rashford and Amad today please.”
“My front 3 would be Garnacho – Rashford – Amad,” another added, and those thoughts were echoed by a fellow supporter: “The best front 3 in my opinion is Garnacho Rashford and Amad.”
Another wrote: “Can’t drop Garnacho, can’t drop Rashford, can’t drop Amad. Zirkzee is the man out for me. I understand what Zirkzee brings, but for team dynamics, this is my team.”
When reacting to the news that Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund are back in training, one fan wrote: “Garnacho Rashford Amad are the in-form players. They should be untouchable for now.”
How will Man United line up vs Crystal Palace?
While that front three sounds very exciting and does have potential, there are some obvious drawbacks.
Firstly, as everyone knows, Rashford plays his best football on the left wing and that’s where he has been playing in the league. Two goals against League One’s Barnsley up front doesn’t change that.
Additionally, Joshua Zirkzee has been playing well as the leading striker. He may not have a lot of goals to his name yet but his hold-up play and distribution have threaded the midfield and attack together like United have not seen in some time.
To drop him could upset the balance of the side. It’s not to say the Dutchman is undroppable and the risk might pay off with a pacier and deadlier attack but it would be a risk all the same.
Yet, they all play in United in Focus’ predicted starting XI and it would be a front three that would excite the fans, with Zirkzee and a returning Hojlund great options off the bench.
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