For now the frustration is couched in supportive terms with Harry Maguire insisting the “lads dug in together” and that it is only a matter of time before the front men hit their straps. But the Manchester United defender admitted a lack of goals from those paid to put the ball in the net has become not only a valid talking point at Old Trafford but a subject for concern.
Victory against a stubborn Luton was delivered by a 59th-minute strike from Maguire’s central defensive partner Victor Lindelof after the front men had missed another hatful of chances.
It was the third time this season the points have been landed by a defender following Raphael Varane’s goal against Wolves and Diogo Dalot’s against Sheffield United. In addition, on two other occasions the midfield – against Nottingham Forest and Brentford – have had to weigh in to secure the points.
Aside from Bruno Fernandes, who has scored three times, a front five of Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony, Alessandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial have just one goal between them in over 44 hours of football this season – scored by Rashford in a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on September 3.
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After seeing Hojlund, Garnacho and Rashford miss five great opportunities against Luton, Maguire conceded that United’s misfiring front line is a concern.
He said: “We have to get the first goal in the first half, we had four good chances, and if we get that, then it makes the game easier. Victor scored a great goal but we have got to be a little bit more ruthless in terms of our attacking intent.
“I see these players day in, day out in training and they are top players and all have the ability to score goals. At the moment we are not scoring enough goals and we know that. Maybe a little bit of luck will turn and they’ll get the first one and the goals will follow. I am sure they will because they are all very good players.”
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Rashford appears gripped by confidence issues at the moment, taking a touch when put through by Antony and scuffing his shot where last season he would have put his laces through it first time. Hojlund, who found goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski from two yards out with his thigh after Rashford’s deflected cross came awkwardly to him after 10 minutes, just cannot get a break in the league.
“Ras is a top player,” said Maguire in defence of a team-mate who at least has found the net five times in the Champions League.
“He scores goals in training, you’ve seen him score goals in the Champions League and I am sure it is a matter of time before he bangs a few in the Prem as well.”
United’s black and white season has brought just 13 goals (only seven teams have fewer) but crucially no draws. So despite the feeling something is not working it sees Erik ten Hag’s men tracking quite nicely just four points of fourth spot, something the manager said bodes well for when they can find form.
“This year, there have been too many setbacks and we have not been good enough at home,” said Maguire, whose own resurgent form continues to serve as the perfect example of turning things around.
“We’ve got to rectify that from now to the end of the season. We have to make sure this place is a fortress.”
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