Erik Ten Hag has pointed fingers at an underperforming player for Manchester United’s embarrassing defeat against West Ham, emphasizing the team’s dire attacking situation. The distressing stats of 24 games, 13 losses, and a meager 11 victories, coupled with a four-game goal drought, underscore the offensive crisis. Rasmus Hojlund’s lack of Premier League goals and Antony’s persistent struggles contribute to the team’s goal-scoring woes.
Despite previous defensive acclaim against Bayern Munich and Liverpool, the West Ham match exposed United’s attacking vulnerability. The stark contrast in goal tally, with Jarrod Bowen outscoring the entire United starting XI, paints a bleak picture of their offensive struggles. While the defensive unit, resilient despite injuries and introducing Willy Kambwala, shines, the attacking team’s underperformance persists, even with all attackers available except for Jadon Sancho’s self-imposed exile.
Erik ten Hag faces a dilemma as his proposed solutions, notably relying on Scott McTominay, unintentionally complicate matters. The midfield’s failure to create opportunities and maintain possession adds to the attacking woes, leaving forwards unable to generate chances independently. Concerns arise about the team’s mentality, evident in diminishing performances from players like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford post-contract renewals.
Assessing a forward’s talent becomes challenging in this creatively limited setting, intensifying scrutiny on Ten Hag amidst a financial crisis and a dearth of innovative ideas. Immediate progress is imperative, as failure to do so could jeopardize Ten Hag’s job security.
