Erik ten Hag has made his desires for the summer transfer window crystal clear.
In truth, it won’t come as a surprise to any supporter.
Manchester United’s notorious lack of goalscoring threat was all too prominent across the first half of the campaign and at one stage of the term, only relegation-threatened Sheffield United and Burnley had scored fewer goals than the 20-time champions.
The tide did turn slightly when Rasmus Hojlund eventually found his feet in the top flight. He embarked on a prolific run of netting seven times in six consecutive Premier League matches, making history while doing so as he became the youngest-ever player to achieve the feat.
An injury setback then saw his streak come to an abrupt end, and with Anthony Martial sidelined long-term, Marcus Rashford was thrown into the deep end when having to deputise for the absent No.9s. We all know it’s his lesser-favoured position.
Fluctuating form has been detrimental
When pressed on United’s struggles for clinicality in front of goal, Ten Hag told reporters on Friday: “I think it would help [to bring in a forward], as I always had, in this plan we constructed, that we should have had enough goals. If you count them for the season, you count on goals from Rashy [Marcus Rashford]. And, last year, you scored 30.
“You count on goals for Martial. And I have to point [out]. In my first season, he played very well and also in very important games. He had a high impact on our performances. And then bringing a goalscorer, Rasmus Hojlund in, that should have been enough goals.”
