West Ham United 2-0 Manchester United: 3 takeaways after worse start since 1930

United must be more clinical

Manchester United are really struggling for goals at the moment. Before today’s loss to West Ham United, the Red Devils had already failed to score in their three previous games. They have now failed to score in four successive games for the first time since 1992. At Anfield against Liverpool, they could have stolen all three points had they converted the decent chances that they had. 

Against West Ham United on Saturday, Garnacho had an incredible chance to put United into the lead. After Kudus’ loose pass was picked up by Antony, the Argentinian was sent scampering through on goal. He fluffed his lines, his body shape was all wrong and his tame effort hit the legs of Alphonse Areola. It was the clearest opportunity of the game and he really ought to have scored. If he is to become the player that he hopes to become, he must score those chances. Fortunately for United and Garnacho, he is a young man of such supreme confidence that he will always go looking for the next chance to score as opposed to shying away.

When West Ham took the lead, that was it. It was obvious that the Irons would go on to win. United just don’t offer anything at all up front and when they do eventually get a chance, they are profligate. Manchester United were probably the better team without actually creating anything.

It can’t be ignored that United’s €65 million striker has yet to score a Premier League goal and we find ourselves almost at the end of December. A lot of the responsibility falls at his feet but he has received atrocious service since his arrival from Atalanta. 

If Manchester United are to have any success this season they need to offer more in the final third and start creating more chances for their forward players. This is something that Erik Ten Hag should be immediately addressing after Christmas.