Manchester United clinched their seventh Premier League win yesterday in a 1-0 victory over Luton Town.
The Red Devils subsequently moved up to sixth place following the full-time whistle and are now one point ahead of fellow top-four challengers Newcastle United, who sustained a 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth.
The result would’ve certainly boosted morale for Erik ten Hag and his men as they head into the international break, but there’s undoubtedly more work to be done when they return.
Samuel Luckhurst, writer for Manchester Evening News, highlighted one concerning factor in United’s league wins this season – all of them have been by only a one-goal margin.
Having scored 13 goals and conceded 16, they hold a goal difference of minus three and are the only club in the top 10 to be in a negative margin.
It’s no secret that United, at times, have been leaking goals this term; three to Manchester City, three to Arsenal and two to Tottenham Hotspur, and that’s just domestically.
Attackers must contribute more in coming games
What makes matters worse is that the Reds’ frontline has been far from prolific, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho netting just one goal between them in the top division. Midfielders Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes are tied on three contributions each as United’s top ‘scorers.
In the rare but still plausible scenario that United’s qualification for Europe comes down to goal difference, they simply have to tend to the matter sooner rather than later.