Manchester United and Erik ten Hag will hope they’ve found their launchpad for further positive results after they beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford.
In an encouraging performance, if only after Erik ten Hag’s big tactical change at half-time, Manchester United dominated the visitors and the scoreline could have been much more comfortable.
However, for a team that was breaking 52-year-old club records in the league before the break, they’ll take any win they get.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund were on the scoresheet with two clinical finishes, although many other chances were missed.
Missed chances have been the theme of United’s season so far as before this game, they were the team who had undershot their xG the most in the league.
Erik ten Hag’s comments after the win spelled trouble for one player, as he was clear in his assessment that his team finally has the quality it had been missing all along the season.
Erik ten Hag’s assessment of Man Utd
Garnacho missed multiple chances against Brentford but he scored ultimately. Furthermore, he is still growing and being a clinical finisher isn’t at the top when describing him.
That would be an added bonus if he develops the skill set to score regularly but in the meantime, Rasmus Hojlund was brought in to score goals.
Unfortunately, Hojlund missed the first few weeks of the season due to injuries and looked undercooked upon returning which was expected as he missed the whole of pre-season.
Now, though, he looks back to his best and the game vs Brentford was the biggest sign of it yet.
Not only was he at his clinical best, putting away his chance with aplomb and killer composure, but he also showed underrated facets of his game like holding up the ball or linking play.
Ten Hag spoke to the press after the game and praised his striker, waxing lyrical about his hold-up play, while admitting that Hojlund’s clinical ability was missed by the team in the first few weeks.
He said: “He was good [as a target man]. He combined well, and had great link-ups, and that was very important today. We know he is clinical, and that is what the team has been lacking in the first weeks of the season.”
Joshua Zirkzee needs to step up
While every squad needs healthy competition and the Man Utd squad is no different, these comments spell trouble for Joshua Zirkzee.
The Dutch striker started at Man Utd with a debut goal but has forgotten his shooting boots since and it hasn’t been for lack of chances.
Zirkzee has impressed with his layoffs and link-ups but this side, as currently constructed, is crying out for a goalscorer who gets them 20/season.
Now, Zirkzee has never been a ‘clinical striker and that’s something United knew when they bought him but still, as a natural striker, he is expected to take chances that fall his way.
That hasn’t happened so far and currently, he is firmly Hojlund’s backup not just because of their different skill sets, but because he’s not finishing his chances.
It happened vs Brentford too which wouldn’t have done anything to change Ten Hag’s mind that Hojlund has to be his main man up top.
A change of role could be in the offing for the reluctant striker because so far, it took Hojlund less than five games to take his starting striker spot back from the incumbent.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/fbnlMq4