Erik ten Hag not happy with decisions in the game with Arsenal
Rasmus Hojlund was one of the major positives for Manchester United at the weekend after the frustrating nature of their defeat to Arsenal. “Not our day today, but an encouraging debut for Hojlund,” United wrote in a post on their official social media channels.
The Danish summer signing enjoyed an impactful debut and only millimetres denied him an assist for Alejandro Garnacho, whose goal was ruled out for offside. Yet while Erik ten Hag looks to alleviate a public disagreement with Jadon Sancho over the international break, the Red Devils boss has another uncomfortable issue to confront over the next fortnight – and it involves Hojlund.
From four Premier League matches, United have scored five goals so far. Three of those came against Nottingham Forest. Last season, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes accounted for 43 per cent (25) of United’s 58 Premier League goals. Already there are signs United will be heavily reliant on the pair – who have one goal apiece – to produce a similar output this season.
Ten Hag praised Anthony Martial’s performance against Arsenal but the Frenchman was largely anonymous and came off on the hour mark. Antony, to his right, also toiled and is still nowhere near the £80million game-changer United hoped he would be for them.
United also have a problem with Sancho, who Ten Hag accused of not training well before the England international hit back via social media. The Dutchman is expected to reprimand the player and it is not yet clear how the incident will impact Sancho’s Old Trafford future, which was already uncertain.
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With Martial and Antony not operating at the high level United require, the onus will fall upon Rashford and Fernandes to create and score the goals all the time. But it is not sustainable to rely on the two to do so all season long, even though they can produce world-class performances and moments. Rashford took his goal brilliantly well against Arsenal but at other times in the game, was let down by his own decision-making.
That, it must be said, is natural for footballers not named Lionel Messi. And with exciting teenager Alejandro Garnacho still not a regular starter as his development continues, Hojlund will be the other attacker required to step up and pitch in with goals and assists. The No 9 role is his for the taking, after all.
But the Dane is only 20 himself and is only just recovered from injury, plus he’s new to the Premier League. While he made an impression at the Emirates, United should not be in a position where they are relying on the new No 11 to succeed straight away. He should, ideally, be given some time to find his feet before the pressure of such high expectations.
That, however, is where United find themselves for as long as Martial and Antony struggle. It is on Ten Hag to get more from the pair and from Sancho, if he can get back in his manager’s good books. If Ten Hag cannot, United will need Rashford and Fernandes to put the team on their back if they are to have success like last season.
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Mason Mount is another capable of being a difference-maker but thus far, he has been used as a deeper-lying midfielder – where he has struggled – rather than as a goal creator or goalscorer. Once he’s fit again, he may well end up getting a chance on the right wing over the underwhelming Antony.
Until then, United need to find a way to ease their reliance on their two biggest attacking contributors. Ideally, Hojlund will be allowed time before his new side needs him to make a decisive impact in each and every match he plays. Right now that is not the case.
With the Champions League group stages on the near horizon, Ten Hag needs to get his team to share the goals around. It’s that or United may be in for even more problems down the line.
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