JOHNGIBSON
IS ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic better than Salomon Rondon? Superior to Yoshinori Muto? Or, whisper it, is Joselu actually top of the lot?
Strikers, we are regularly told, live and die by goals, which puts Mitro top of the pile at the moment to the delight of him and discomfort of Rafa Benitez.
His two goals brought Fulham victory over Burnley and made it three in three, while Joselu has incredibly scored United’s only Premier goals to date. Two flashing headers in 2-1 home defeats.
A lot of folk never expected Mitro and Joselu to be top goalscorers but then, in fairness to United’s two newcomers, neither has completed 90 minutes as yet. They have started from the back of the grid.
However, we cannot get away from one outstanding fact – Mitrovic’s goalscoring record since his arrival at Fulham has produced great embarrassment on Tyneside, where goals are as scarce as snowfall in the Sahara.
He has bagged 15 bullseyes since initially joining the Cottagers on loan in January – yes, a lot in the Championship – but only Liverpool’s prolific Mo Salah has netted the same amount during that time.
Playing Manchester City next while Fulham and Mitro go to Brighton hardly tips the odds in the favour of the Magpies’ strike force.
Rondon is likely to be as isolated at City as he was against Chelsea, which makes for difficulties in finishing.
His slow start in terms of minutes on the pitch is, he reveals, down to match fitness after what was a “terrible pre-season” when West Brom, knowing they were about to unload him, did not bother playing him in their friendlies.
In other words, a dithering United signed him far too late for their own good.
However, the intriguing comparison as the season unfolds will unquestionably be between Rondon and Mitrovic. Both muscular, both aggressive and combative.
Benitez rejected the Serb as his line leader and instead chose Rondon, who he pursued with persistence throughout the summer while those above him dragged their heels.
Time will produce its own verdict on who and what was right.
Benitez is pretty well bombproof with fans who recognise the difficulties he has to endure but all the same he needs Mitrovic to go on a regular goalscoring