‘Problem of their own making’: Two Ten Hag signings proved they weren’t ‘good enough’ to be starters before OT switch

One look at how Manchester United have fared in front of goal this season would lead you to believe a prolific No.9 is necessary in January.

Yet, that’s when fans get hit with the solemn reminder that their current centre-forwards, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, cost a combined £108.5 million.

It’s understandable that, when planning for a long-term turnaround, the board target younger signings. Hojlund was 20 at the time of his move from Atalanta and Zirkzee, 23. 

However, the likes of Erik ten Hag and the newly-appointed INEOS hierarchy can’t really rue missed chances when the pair’s goalscoring record prior to signing left a lot to be desired. 

For example, Zirkzee had scored 14 times in 58 appearances for the Italian outfit across two seasons. As for his Danish counterpart, he netted 10 times in 34 outings with Atalanta in 2022/2023.

United round off another woeful start to the term at Villa Park

Yesterday’s stalemate with Aston Villa culminated with United creating a new record for their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign, having notched only eight points after their opening seven matches – therefore breaking last season’s record of nine points in the first seven games.

The club have scored a measly five goals thus far, with their goal difference currently sitting at minus three – and one journalist thinks United chiefs have nobody to blame but themselves.

“MUFC’s goalscoring record is a problem of their own making,” Samuel Luckhurst wrote on X/Twitter. “Lacked ambition to go for Kane and instead committed to spending more than £100m on two strikers with modest goalscoring records who are not good enough to be the starting striker.”