As Manchester United’s goal difference once again sunk into negative numbers – falling to minus-two during Sunday’s 3-1 derby defeat at Man City – one of the managers tipped to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout ensured that his side would end the weekend as the most prolific in Europe.
Manchester United are averaging just 1.3 goals per game this term. They weren’t much more prolific in 2022/23 either, the Red Devils comfortably the lowest scorers in the Premier League’s top seven despite an impressive third-place finish during Erik Ten Hag’s debut season at the helm.
Even during happier times under the Dutchman, United have tended to edge to victories rather than cruise to them, though how much of that is down to the manager – or the often underperforming forwards at his disposal – is up for debate.
How Man United could do with even a shred of the ruthlessness displayed by Simone Inzaghi’s free-scoring Inter Milan. Inzaghi, one of the names linked with the Old Trafford post by TuttoSport, is currently presiding over the most lethal attack, not only in Italy but anywhere in Europe.
Simone Inzaghi linked with Manchester United job
Inter are 15 points clear – and 27 goals better off – than second-place Juventus in Serie A. They average 2.5 goals per game, and their goal difference stands at a staggering 58. Only Arsenal, 6-0 winners over Sheffield United on Monday, can come close to matching Inter’s fearsome return in the final third.
In all competitions, meanwhile, Inter’s goal tally stands at 83. Man United, meanwhile, have mustered only 58.
“I’ve been following Inzaghi for a very long time,” the legendary Thierry Henry tells Sky Sports. “What I like is with Inzaghi is that he plays with two centre forwards.”
Now, there is no guarantee that Inzaghi would inherit Ten Hag’s job and immediately turn Manchester United into merciless goalscoring machines.
Marcus Rashford remains frustratingly inconsistent, Alejandro Garnacho is still developing, Antony looks a busted flush, and Bruno Fernandes no longer offers the same threat as during the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
But, even before taking the Inter job in 2021, Inzaghi had a reputation as a coach capable of coaxing the very best out of the attacking talent at his disposal. Ciro Immobile twice won Serie A’s Golden Boot on Inzaghi’s watch, including with a record-equalling tally of 36 in one particularly extraordinary campaign. Keita Balde, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Luis Alberto and Joaquin Correa all hit double figures under Inzaghi.
Edin Dzeko, Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez all did the same at Inter in 2022/23 while, this term, Inzaghi has turned the Marcus Thuram – Martinez partnership into perhaps the finest centre-forward duo anywhere on the continent. Thuram was linked with Man United last summer and has been a revelation since joining for free from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Martinez, meanwhile, has 23 goals in just 25 Serie A matches, and is perhaps the most in-form striker on the continent right now.
Erik ten Hag’s job is on the line
Surely a manager of his talents is capable of squeezing far more out of a Rashford, Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund frontline.
“It is certainly a great team,” Lautaro told Sky Italia after Inter shredded Udinese 4-0 in December, making it clear that Inzaghi’s tactics are foundations for the Nerazzuri’s remarkable campaign.
“We work hard every day in training. You can see the influence of the coach and we play with his ideas of football. We press very high and that allows us to win the ball back quickly, create scoring opportunities and keep the opposition pinned back.
“We’ve been working really well with this coach for three years now, we continue to improve and show we deserve to be at this level.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/bH2Smg1