Ruben Amorim Eyes Bayer Leverkusen Forward to Strengthen "Manchester United" Attack

"Manchester United"'s new manager, Ruben Amorim, is interested in Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface to boost the team's attacking line.

As "Manchester United" looks ahead to the January transfer window, the team's new manager, Ruben Amorim, is reportedly targeting "Bayer Leverkusen" forward Victor Boniface as a potential answer to their attacking struggles. The Red Devils' underwhelming season continued under Amorim, battling to a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted "Ipswich" on Sunday. With only 13 goals scored in 12 league matches, the team presents the fourth-weakest offensive record in the league. Both Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, combined cost of €114.5 million, have failed to find the net regularly, each managing just one league goal so far.

Nigerian forward Boniface has been a revelation for "Leverkusen", playing a crucial role in their unbeaten Bundesliga run last season. But is Boniface truly the answer United seeks?

A deep dive into his statistics compared to Højlund and Zirkzee provides intriguing angles. Boniface's performances in the Bundesliga this season underline his attacking prowess. In 10 matchups, the 23-year-old has slotted home six goals, averaging 0.6 goals per game. His expected goals (xG) tally of 6.54 reflects his knack for consistently positioning himself for scoring opportunities, although his goal conversion rate of 15% hints at room for better efficiency.

Boniface has made a significant impact in front of goal, averaging 4.1 shots per game, with 1.5 on target. While he's missed eight big chances this season, his ability to deliver decisive moments outweighs occasional lapses. Throughout his career, Boniface's numbers are impressive: 29 goals and 11 assists in 49 games for "Leverkusen", alongside effective spells at Union Saint-Gilloise and Bodø/Glimt.

Zirkzee, by contrast, has struggled since arriving in Manchester. Despite making 12 league appearances, he has started only four games and scored just one goal. His xG of 2.65 indicates a lack of clinical finishing, compounded by missing four big chances. Zirkzee's 8% goal conversion rate and an average of 1.1 shots per game appear lackluster compared to Boniface's productivity.

In his professional career, Zirkzee has recorded 14 goals in 58 games for Bologna, 18 goals in 47 matches for Anderlecht, and a brief stint at Bayern Munich with four goals in 17 games. Meanwhile, Højlund has shown glimpses of promise without establishing himself as a prolific scorer. In eight league matches this season, he has netted once, with an xG of 1.10 and a goal conversion rate of 20%.

Wider career statistics show Højlund with 18 goals in 56 games for United, a decent tally for a young striker. He previously impressed at Sturm Graz with 12 goals in 21 games and delivered 10 goals in 34 matches for Atalanta BC. His career path suggests untapped potential, but United's current struggles limit his impact. Boniface's goal-scoring capability, paired with his chance creation, presents an appealing option for United. His Bundesliga stats this season—six goals in 10 games—eclipse both Zirkzee's and Højlund's returns.

Additionally, his higher xG suggests he consistently enters dangerous positions, which United sorely needs amid their attacking issues. Boniface offers an immediate solution to United's scoring concerns. However, his transfer would not come cheap, with "Leverkusen" placing high value on him due to his contract running until 2028.