Erik ten Hag insists he is happy with Manchester United’s attacking players despite the club’s lack of goals so far this season.
United are fifth in the Premier League table, but only Chelsea have scored less goals among clubs currently in the top ten. Ten Hag’s team have scored just 20 goals – half the total that Manchester City have scored so far this season (40).
The Red Devils return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday and Ten Hag has discussed his side’s desire to score more goals.
“I see that it is a good sign and we are still fifth and we are aware that we have to score more goals,” Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference, which was conducted following his side’s 2-0 win over Burnley. “But what I just tried to express is that we have to improve on other elements in football.
“And as you see today, we created so many opportunities, no big 100 percent chances, and we have to be more decisive there.
“You worry when you don’t create chances. So, I am really happy with the attacking performance today that we created seven or eight-100 percent chances, but it is clear we have to score more.”
Ten Hag was asked whether his squad requires the addition of a more reliable goalscorer, but insisted he was happy with the options currently available to him at Old Trafford.
“No. Because when I analyse the first 14 games and Europe, so 20 games, we have a lot of problems in the front line. And often, I had nothing to choose. Or players were not 100 percent fit and we had to play them and that was a problem during the first 20 games this season.
“I think when we get players available and better fit in the frontline, then already we will score more goals.”
Marcus Rashford continued his impressive form this season with a wonderful solo goal against Burnley and now has nine goals in all competitions this season. The 25-year-old also netted three times during England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar and Ten Hag set the forward a challenge to reach 20 goals in the Premier League.
“I don’t want to pin myself on a number. But I said from the start, I think he is capable of scoring 20 goals in the Premier League only so I am convinced about that.
“He now has four but he has scored many other goals. He scored three goals at the World Cup and you also have the potential to score those numbers of goals in the Premier League.”
