Manchester United returned to winning ways earlier this weekend when Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford both converted first-half penalties against Everton.
The much-needed three points came after consecutive defeats in the Premier League, with Erik ten Hag’s men desperate to make some ground on their top-four competitors after falling behind.
Prior to the defeats against Fulham and Manchester City, United had won each of their previous four games and looked to be back in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Now, that is looking increasingly unlikely with each passing week but United are guaranteed to close in one at least one of the two teams above them in the table, with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa going head-to-head on Sunday.
Despite getting over the line against Everton, one remarkable statistic has emerged after the game and it will certainly worry Ten Hag.
United have struggled greatly to control their opponents in midfield this season and that can be down to a number of things but ultimately, they are not capable of containing the opposition in front of their own centre-backs.
That has led to teams having more attempts at goal than United and that was confirmed by way of a mind-boggling stat on Sunday.
According to Opta Analyst, Everton attempted 20 or more shots at Old Trafford, which is the fourth time that has happened on home soil this season. Additionally, in the 18 seasons Opta have collected data, no United side has conceded 20 or more shots in more than four games across a campaign.
Furthermore, The Athletic stated that United have now conceded 467 shots in the Premier League this season. Remarkably, only relegation-bound Sheffield United have faced more with 469.
It’s a worrying read for the manager and you do wonder how United have managed to remain in the Champions Leauge conversation when teams are having their way with them in the final third.
Twenty shots allowed against Everton. TWENTY!
No goals resulted; hope we can rely on Liverpool and Arsenal being so profligate, to mention just 3 upcoming matches.👺👺