Manchester United are gearing up for their Europa League opener against Twente, looking to improve their goal-scoring record. Manager Erik ten Hag has acknowledged the need for his team to be more clinical in front of goal after only scoring five goals in the Premier League this season, resulting in a goal difference of zero.
Last season, United scored 57 goals in the league while conceding 58. Despite dominating possession and producing 15 shots on goal, they were unable to find the back of the net in a goalless draw against Crystal Palace over the weekend. Ten Hag’s attackers, including Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Alejandro Garnacho, have only found the net once each, with defender Matthijs de Ligt scoring the team’s other league goal.
When asked about his concerns regarding the team’s ability to score goals consistently, Ten Hag expressed confidence in their attacking capabilities. “We create a lot of chances in the first games of the season,” he said. “Last week we scored seven against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. We are capable of scoring many goals, but it’s a part of the game we have to improve and kill in the box.”
Regarding the mental approach of his forwards, Ten Hag highlighted the importance of continuing to create opportunities and focusing on finishing. He emphasized the need for his players to be more clinical in front of goal to capitalize on the chances they create.
As United prepare to face Twente in the Europa League, Ten Hag believes that the tournament holds added significance as the winners secure a spot in the Champions League. “It’s an opportunity. There are more roads to achieve the targets you want and this is definitely also a road,” he explained. “It’s the most difficult, probably, in a tournament of 32. You have to be the best but it’s a target, it’s a road we want to go.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Ten Hag remains optimistic about United’s chances in the Europa League and their ambition to win all competitions. “In the end, you can be knocked out. But don’t look too far ahead and as you know we want to win all the competitions and this is one of them,” he stated confidently.
Overall, Ten Hag’s focus is on sharpening his team’s attacking prowess and converting their chances in front of goal to improve their goal-scoring record this season. With the Europa League opener on the horizon, United will be looking to make a strong start in the competition and secure a path to Champions League qualification.
