A lot of talk was wasted on Manchester United's attack last season. United's toothless offense in the Premier League was one of the major reasons that United faltered to a 15th place finish, with United only scoring a total of 44 goals over the course of the entire season.
This season, and especially since the sacking of Ruben Amorim and the hiring of Michael Carrick as interim head coach, Manchester United have produced a lot more goals, and it's led them to winning a lot more games and picking up a lot more points. Football is so refreshingly simple sometimes.
United have scored a total of 46 goals this season, just outperforming their expected goals (xG) of 44.89. That number, just 24 games into the season, has already beaten United's total goals from last season, which sat at just 44. That was a severe underperformance of United's xG of 53.46, according to Opta.
The gulf in xG differentials between the two seasons tells us that United's attacking are much more prolific when it comes to finishing their chances in front of goal. The change in fortunes in front of goal looks to be down to the introduction of new attacking talent this season during the summer transfer window
Man United's recruitment last summer has already proven to be a success
United went big on attacking talent in the summer transfer window. They brought in two Premier League ready stars: Matheus Cunha from Wolves, and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. From their signings, it was obvious how United were approaching their recruitment: safe, tried and tested footballers who have experience of the Premier League's break-neck pace, and can be relied upon.
The third attacking signing was RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Sesko was much more of a risk, but a calculated one: Sesko was incredibly raw, and still has work to do if he wants to succeed long-term at the highest level, but has incredible physical atrributes, and formidable ball striking ability that will make him a long-term asset to the side.
Mbeumo and Cunha have both managed to have solid starts to life in Manchester. Bryan Mbeumo has been a reliable source of goals, and is currently United's top goal scorer. Cunha has also produced his fair share of goals, including the winner against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Sesko has also contributed to United's goal tally, including a brace against Burnley and the winning goal in injury time against Fulham. United's three new attackers have all, so far, proven to be smart purchases.
The stats tell the story plainly: This season, 44.5% of Premier League goals for Manchester United have been scored by new signings, totalling 20 Premier League goals. That's the second highest in the league for most goals scored by new signings.
In an era of Manchester United where our recruitment has proved so often to be our undoing, it's refreshing to see a success story from United's recruitment department. The main challenge is to keep those statistics ticking over when the form and momentum dries up, as it inevitably will. Crucially, United have proven and reliable talent to fall back on.