Manchester United have started the 2023/24 season inconsistently, and one damning stat puts their struggles into perspective.
Sitting 8th in the Premier League table after nine games, Manchester United have won five games and lost four. While their goal difference of -2 is the worst of the teams in the top half of the table, it's actually their source of goals which is the main problem.
Indeed, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Antony and Anthony Martial have contributed just one goal and one assist between them in a combined total of 1,801 minutes this season in the English top flight - with both of those contributions coming from Rashford.
Instead, Scott McTominay is the current leading goalscorer for Manchester United in the Premier League with just three goals. To highlight just how poor Erik ten Hag's attack has been, the Scottish midfielder managed his tally of three goals in just the previous two games, against Sheffield United and Brentford.
For record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer, Manchester United need to address this issue if they are to compete in the league this term.
"If they want to get in and around that top four then one thing has to change and the forwards have to chip in more with goals," Shearer said on Match of the Day. "They certainly created the chances against Sheffield United, and they should’ve put the ball in the back of the net more than they did.
"Rashford, Hojlund, Antony, [Alejandro] Garnacho, Martial, you’ve got to ask for more and you’ve got to demand more when you’re getting into these positions and working the ball, passing.
"They are getting into positions and they are creating the chances, so I suppose the time to worry is when you’re not doing that at all. I mean Scott McTominay is their top scorer and he's only started three league games and scored three goals. The demand to put the ball in the back of the net from the strikers that has to improve."
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