Goalscoring is ultimately what wins games – and it is something that Manchester United currently lack.
That might seem like a strange thing to say when one of the greatest goal scorers to ever play football, in Cristiano Ronaldo, is currently at the club but nevertheless, it is ultimately the case. Several attacking options that were at the club last season are no longer available for Erik ten Hag, with Edinson Cavani and Jesse Lingard just two of the players to have left the club this summer.
Ronaldo could end up following them in his quest to play Champions League football, but even if he ends up staying at the club, which as time goes on seems more and more likely, Manchester United need attacking options.
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The reliance on a young and inexperienced Anthony Elanga last season was evidence enough of this, while both Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho had sub-par seasons.
And while Anthony Martial impressed in pre-season, he has been inconsistent at best during his time at Old Trafford. The Frenchman’s figures in recent seasons have been frankly awful.
In the 21/22 season he scored two goals, the season before he only managed six. Obviously, he did have a strong season in the 19/20 season scoring over 20 goals.
Hopefully, he can find that kind of form once again, however given recent history that does not seem highly likely. Recent developments further indicate that Erik ten Hag is dire need of attacking options.
The line-up that was fielded in the opening game of the season against Brighton clearly showed this. Having both Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen on the pitch with them both interchanging as a false nine from the start shows that there aren’t the levels of attacking quality that are required from a Manchester United team.
There are certainly attacking options coming through the academy. Charlie McNeil looks like he could potentially become a good player, however it seems he is someway off from making his mark on the first team.
Then there are also the likes of Hannibal Mejbri and Amad who could come through and do well. However, Manchester United need quality attacking players who are ready to feature now.
On that note, the talk of Marko Arnautovic seems very strange. While yes, attacking players need to be signed, the 33-year-old does not seem the level of signing that is required having spent the past season at Bologna and the two seasons prior in the Chinese Super League.
It does not seem as though he would be ready for the step back into the Premier League. The last full season he played in the Premier League was 18/19 for West Ham when he managed to get 11 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions.
If he managed to recreate this form, this would not be good enough for Manchester United in the slightest. Ultimately, the Red Devils are in dire need of a top-quality striker.
The club needs someone who would be at Old Trafford for the long term. That is something Arnautovic does not seem capable of achieving considering he will turn 34 during the course of this season.
Even if Ronaldo stays, there needs to be more reinforcements in the forward line in order for Erik ten Hag to achieve what he wants to.
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