Not so long ago, Manchester United were among the most anaemic attacking outfits in the Premier League. Indeed, Erik ten Hag’s team went four consecutive matches without scoring before Christmas as United struggled for any sort of productivity in the final third. The situation has changed since then, though.
Sunday’s 2-1 away victory over Aston Villa means Manchester United have now found the back of the net 13 times in their last four matches (in all competitions). Ten Hag has found an attacking formula that works and it is now helping to turn around United’s season with Champions League qualification back on the cards.
The frontline of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford has breathed new life into Manchester United. The trio have given United the sort of cutting edge they were lacking earlier in the season with all three contributing to a turnaround in fortunes over the last month or so.
Hojlund had to wait a long time to get off the mark in the Premier League, but he has now netted five times in his last five games. The Dane is playing with confidence and is now receiving service from his new teammates. Garnacho and Rashford are starting to understand the runs Hojlund makes as United’s number nine.
Garnacho has dislodged Antony as ten Hag’s first-choice winger and this has done a lot to upgrade the standard of Manchester United’s attack. The teenager is still raw and must refine his decision-making in and around the opposition penalty box, but Garnacho is quick, direct and allows United to get forward quicker.
Manchester United spent £86m on Antony to play on the right side of their attack in the 2022 summer transfer window. However, the Brazilian has failed to make much of an impression, without a single goal or assist to his name in 19 Premier League appearances this season. Antony also has a habit of slowing down attacks by taking too many touches.
Rashford still has another gear to reach. The England international has struggled to find the sort of form that saw him score 17 goals in the Premier League last season, but he is still contributing. Rashford is being harnessed in a way that allows him to play his natural game, utilising his speed and ability to cut inside off the wing.
“We connect very good I think, with me now playing on the right,” said Garnacho about United’s current frontline. “With Rashy on the left, putting in crosses, and Bruno in behind. We think we have a good team in the front. I always try to help the team, score and assist, but I don’t care if I score or if it’s Rasmus or Rashy who scores.”
United are on the brink of another rebuild. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS as minority owners has altered the situation at Old Trafford with an overhaul of the squad and front office expected to start this summer. Every player in the United squad is playing for their future. It’s not even certain ten Hag will be retained as manager with INEOS reportedly assessing other candidates.
In Hojlund, Garnacho and Rashford, though, Manchester United have something to build around. Kobbie Mainoo is another young player who offers hope for the future at Old Trafford with the teenage midfielder now a key figure for ten Hag in the centre of the pitch. Amid a scorched earth season, some green shoots are starting to appear.
Fans at Old Trafford are used to seeing their team play an attacking game on the front foot. That’s how Manchester United played under Sir Alex Ferguson and ten Hag was hired to forge a team that is similarly at its best when it is attacking and imposing itself on opponents. There is an expectation level at the club.
So far, ten Hag has failed to deliver in this respect. Manchester United exceeded expectations by finishing third in the Premier League table last season, but they still scored fewer goals than all of their close rivals. Finally, though, ten Hag might have found the right formula to change United’s attacking landscape.
