Erik ten Hag pinpoints Manchester United's biggest issue: lack of goals

MANCHESTER - Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has pointed out a lack of goal-scoring as the main reason for the English giants' disappointing beginning to the campaign.

There was fresh frustration for the Dutchman, now in his third campaign at Old Trafford, when United were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly-ranked FC Twente in their Europa League opener.

That result followed an uninspiring goalless stalemate at Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend.

United made an encouraging start against Twente, Ten Hag’s former club, when Christian Eriksen put them ahead with a powerful first-half strike before Sam Lammers equalised for Twente in the 68th minute after Eriksen was caught in possession.

Ten Hag’s current side had 18 attempts on goal against Twente, having failed to score with 15 shots at Selhurst Park, and Ten Hag is now looking for United to rediscover their ruthless streak against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sept 29.

The 54-year-old Ten Hag, asked at a pre-match press conference on Sept 26 what is United’s biggest issue at the moment, replied: “Not scoring goals, not scoring goals enough. That’s the problem, the key area.

“We have to score more goals as a team. I think we have players across the team who have the ability to score. That’s clear.

“You see all the opportunities we are creating, we are not scoring enough.”

United, however, did return from the international break with a 3-0 win at promoted Southampton and a 7-0 League Cup thrashing of third-tier Barnsley.