Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos - who has been linked with Manchester United in recent weeks - has detailed what it takes to be a modern day forward, delivering an explanation that will be music to the ears of Erik ten Hag.
The 21-year-old has netted eight times in 12 games so far this season, also providing six assists. Before long, United will be searching for a long-term striker with Cristiano Ronaldo approaching 38, and Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford historically inconsistent.
Ramos has already played 71 games for the Benfica first team, netting 22 goals in that time. An out-and-out centre-forward, he has been tasked with filling the boots of Darwin Nunez, who left for Liverpool after his 34-goal haul last term.
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Ten Hag has made it no secret how he likes his team to play and defend as a unit. “When our 11 are on the pitch, we defend together and attack together," he said after the 1-0 win over Leicester earlier this month.
This starts from the strikers, who have been asked to press from the front. It may be a reason why Ten Hag has opted to select Rashford ahead of Ronaldo at the top end of the pitch amid Martial’s latest injury.
The United boss, though, will no doubt be searching for a younger, accomplished goal-getter to lead his rebuild project. Ramos fits that category well and recently gave another reason for Ten Hag to look into his availability.
The youngster showed he understood what is required as a forward in 2022 when speaking to Mais Futebol earlier this week. “Increasingly, more is asked of a spearhead to be more complete,” Ramos said.
“People thought that a striker is only there to score goals and the rest doesn’t matter, but I think that over the last few years that image is disappearing a little bit.
“It is increasingly important for a striker to be more in the game and contribute more to the team, to connect the game, to put pressure on. Often with movements in which you end up in another position and ask for another type of task.”
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