Erik ten Hag’s side struggled to take their chances against a sturdy Crystal Palace backline. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has an £108million problem that must be fixed immediately if the Red Devils are going to be successful this season.
It’s felt like one step forward, two steps back already for United this season.
Having confidently despatched Southampton and Barnsley in consecutive matches, netting 10 goals and conceding none across the two outings, Ten Hag’s men stumbled to a goalless draw away to Crystal Palace at the weekend.
There was a touch of misfortune surrounding the result, not least because United rattled the woodwork and Palace were reliant on several big saves from goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
However, as the clock ticked down and Palace began to grow into the game themselves, United’s first-half stranglehold on the contest disappeared, with the three-time European champions somewhat fortunate to hold on for a point.
United shot-stopper Andre Onana was forced into action late on, with the Cameroon international pulling off a splendid double save to deny the hosts.
Following the contest, Ten Hag was criticised for his in-game changes, particularly the move that saw Christian Eriksen subbed for defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte when they were pushing for the opener.
But the Palace game highlighted a wider problem for Ten Hag – his side’s distinct lack of killer instinct in the final third.
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Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to convert chances at times this season. (Image: Getty)
Rasmus Hojlund returned from injury for Man United this weekend. (Image: Getty)
The stats back it up too. United have missed a whopping 17 big chances this season already – the most of any club in the Premier League this term.
In fact, United’s wastefulness in front of goal is significantly worse than any other team in the division, with Aston Villa, who sit second in that list, having spurned 12 big chances.
It’s a problem Ten Hag has to find a solution for. Since the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford, United have signed two centre forwards, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee joining for a combined fee of £108m.
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While Zirkzee has found the net once in the Premier League already this season and Hojlund started the campaign in the treatment room, United can ill-afford for their strikers not to be taking the chances that come their way.
They will have an immediate chance to right their wrongs this week, with FC Twente the visitors to Old Trafford in United’s Europa League opener.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1951790/man-utd-108m-problem-erik-ten-hag