Erik ten Hag must solve worrying pattern to keep Old Trafford Hot seat

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag must solve the Red Devils’ scoring issues if he wants to turn results around and quieten the speculation about his future at Old Trafford. 

This season the lack of goals from Manchester United’s forwards has been a big issue for Erik ten Hag.

However, it is not a new issue, heading into his third season as Red Devils boss, the Dutchman needs to re-think his attacking strategies because his side is not taking their chances.

The former Aajx coach can only do so much from the sideline with the hope that his young strikers have enough goals in them to fire United up the table this season.

Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee looks like a great addition in terms of linking play and creating chances for teammates but so far has lacked the clinical edge to his finishing.

Rasmus Hojlund scored 16 goals in his debut season and will be hoping he can add to his Manchester Unoted tally in the coming weeks as he builds up fitness after recovering from his hamstring injury.

Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United goal difference dilemma

Since Ten Hag took over at Old Trafford in 2022 the Red Devils have had a poor goal difference in the Premier League.

It was a good debut season in terms of a 3rd place finish but the goal difference was a slight worry with his side finishing with a +15 goal difference.

Last season, the Dutch coach’s side was plagued with injury in defence that affected the goal difference, but there was also a concern about a lack of goals with Marcus Rashford not in the same form as the previous season.

In 2023/24 the Red Devils finished with a goal difference of -1 only scoring 57 goals compared to 58 of the previous campaign.

So far this season Manchester United have only scored five goals and currently sits with a 0-goal difference.

If Ten Hag wants to turn his fortunes around at Old Trafford and quieten the speculation surrounding his job he must ensure that he sorts out the goal difference because it is a clear indication of what an Erik ten Hag Manchester United side currently produces.

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