Billy Sharp heads to Bloomfield Road tomorrow attempting to polish his reputation as a marksman par excellence by repeating the ruthless finishing which saw him plunder a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
But were the instincts which enabled him to tear Iain Dowie's side apart the result of hours on the training ground or simply a God-given gift?
"I don't think it's something you can teach," former striker Imre Varadi, who started his career at United before enjoying spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle and Everton, said. "It's inside of you.
"You can either do it or you can't.
"You can always improve the technical aspects of someone's game, such as their control and even their finishing, but not the instinctiveness required to be a predator in the penalty area.
"It's all about anticipation, being able to read a game and being able to predict how certain situations are going to unfold.
"Billy's got that.
"If you look at the first goal he scored against QPR, he knew the position he had to get in and so, when the ball did arrive, he just had to concentrate on putting it in the back of the net.
"Nothing else.
"He's improved other aspects of his game. Hs hold-up play has got a lot better, but Billy will always be at his best when he's sniffing around in the penalty area.
"And, because of that, he'll always score goals in any division."
United legend Keith Edwards agrees that certain aspects of a centre-forward's armoury can benefit from coaching but believes personality separates a "natural scorer" from the rest.
"You can work on technique but, for me, the best forwards pass the ball into the net," he said.
"Look at the difference on the international stage between Emile Heskey, who tries to force it home, and Michael Owen who simply helps the ball on its way.
"It's exactly the same reason why I say that a good midfielder who passes well should always be able to chip in with their fair share.
"To be a top striker you need to be selfish and a little bit arrogant in front of goal too.
"Not off the pitch, but on it you need those qualities.
"In training, when it came to scoring, I paid no respect to a goalkeeper and expected none in return; it's that single-mindedness and focus you need.
"Colin Morris, who I played with, was totally focused on creating goals whereas I was the same about scoring them.
"Mind you, though, you still need to be able to see the best options because there's nothing worse than someone being in a better position and seeing the striker have a go regardless.
"It's not about having a licence to shoot on sight.
Composure is a big part.
"I'm delighted for Billy because, just as the doubters were starting to raise their heads, he's answered them in the best way possible."
Meanwhile, United's Under-18s begin their Premier Academy League season with a home game against Aston Villa tomorrow.
United lost two of their final three fixtures of the 2007-08 campaign when they were beaten by Blackburn and Sunderland despite securing a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Striker Jack Adams was on target against the visitors from Old Trafford and his elevation to the senior squad for several friendly matches earlier this summer has ensured he will be one to watch again this term.
Adams is now at Shirecliffe in a full-time capacity after starting an apprencticeship last month but United's results during their own warm-up programme, which saw them travel to Valencia and Totana in Spain, suggests they boast plenty of strength in depth.
United reserves have been drawn against Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Carlisle in the group stage of the Central League Cup.
THE TEAMS:Blackpool (possible): Rachubka, Rehman, Evatt, Edwards, Camara, Taylor-Fletcher, Kabba, Jorgensen, Wright, Hammill, Burgess (4-4-2).
United (possible): Kenny, Naysmith, Morgan, Kilgallon, Sun, Halford, Tonge, Speed, S Quinn, Henderson, Sharp (4-4-2).
THE REFEREE:SW Mathieson: From Cheshire, Mathieson has taken charge of two games this season - Cardiff v Southampton and the Carling Cup tie between Bury and Burnley - producing just one yellow card in each.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 764 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
