Wolfsburg's wanted man Dzeko shows Manchester United why he's head boy

08 December 2009 23:28
Wolfburg's Edin Dzeko is one of the hottest striking prospects in Europe. The 23-year-old scored at Old Trafford in September and last night, potential suitor Sir Alex Ferguson had another chance to see the star in action. Here Sportsmail provides his scouting report.[LNB]GOAL THREATAlmost non-existent until he scored with a header, although the same could be said of Michael Owen. [LNB]Against a severely depleted United side, this was a great chance to shine for the Bosnia striker, who finished joint second on nine goals with Wayne Rooney in European qualifying for the World Cup. [LNB]However, he managed just one genuine effort on goal in the first half, dragging a weak shot wide of the near post after giving Darren Fletcher the slip when there were better options available. [LNB]But he made no mistake when opportunity knocked again in the second half. Despite the lack of efforts on goal, he was confident enough to meet a 40-yard pass with a first-time volley in the 76th minute and force Tomasz Kusczcak into a smart save at his near post.[LNB]Upstaged on the night by Owen, United would have to ask themselves whether he would improve what they already have.[LNB] On target: Dzeko scores against his suitors[LNB]PACEPerhaps not his greatest asset but he still got around well on a sticky surface. There was every chance he would have connected with Christian Gentner's searching cross in the first half if he had been a yard Champions League faster, but Kuszczak was able to come out and punch the ball clear.[LNB]Coming up short: Dzeko vies with Michael Carrick[LNB]AERIAL ABILITYDzeko headed Wolfburg's equaliser from Marcel Schaefer's cross, but it would have been more difficult to miss from just a few yards out. [LNB]At 6ft 4in tall, he should have had a field day against a makeshift three-man defence that included two midfielders and the diminutive Patrice Evra, but his team-mates failed to pick him out on a number of occasions in the first half.[LNB]He still provided a valuable decoy when Andrea Barzagli and Zvjezdan Misimovic were presented with free headers, and was clinical when presented with a similar chance himself.[LNB]TOUCHSurprisingly good for a big guy. Two-footed and comfortable on the ball, he was more dangerous on the ground than in the air in the first half, giving Fletcher in particular plenty to worry about. Showed good feet and was happy to take on opponents.[LNB]Not quite on a par with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Bosnia target man could probably teach Peter Crouch a thing or two. Deceptively skilful, he had more than a few tricks up his sleeve and was not lacking the confidence to show it.[LNB]WORK RATEImpressive. Not afraid to drop deep to collect the ball and help with the link-up play. Also prepared to drift wide into the channels, dragging United defenders with him.Seemed to step up a gear in the second half as Wolfsburg began to stretch Sir Alex Ferguson's side.[LNB] Battler: Dzeko takes on Darren Fletcher[LNB] Fergie cools talk of big-money move for in-demand Wolfsburg striker DzekoWolfsburg 1 Manchester Utd 3: Brilliant Michael Owen fires hat-trick to ensure United top their Champions League groupMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail