Erik ten Hag has called on Manchester United to be more clinical around goal after three consecutive games without scoring.
Back-to-back defeats without scoring to Bayern Munich and Bournemouth were followed by a goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend, extending the Red Devils’ run without a goal to three games.
Marcus Rashford has struggled to recapture the form of last season and has scored just twice in the Premier League this season, while summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is still waiting for his first league goal despite some encouraging European performances.
The latter missed a good chance when shooting straight at Alisson during the draw at Liverpool, and Ten Hag has warned his team must improve their performances in the final third.
“First of all we have played strong teams in Bayern Munich and Liverpool, but then we had a poor game [against Bournemouth] as we have seen,” the Dutchman said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing West Ham this weekend.
“There are always issues and we know we have to improve. We played good against Bayern and Liverpool, but we should have had more chances and been more clinical in those moments.
“We can definitely improve the total group, as you know my philosophy we have to attack with 11 it is not abut one player – it is about everyone.
“We have be better with movement and our ball decision making it has to be better and sometimes we have to be more clinical.
“Sunday at Liverpool was ours.”
On Hojlund’s lack of a league goal, Ten Hag added: “Of course we are open and Rasmus Hojlund is open. I think his mentality is great, he is a very good performer under stress.
“It is not just about Rasmus Hojlund. It is also about Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Antony – don’t forget our full-backs too.
“We work on that fact as a group. Offensive players should contribute. When we have a better balance with players back we should create more chances.”
