What is wrong with our attacking players?

[Stadjer]

Last season Antony had 2 assists in 26 league games. We provide no threat at all from the right, unless it’s the full back. His continued inclusion simply cannot be justified on the basis of his output but Ten Hag will never drop him because Antony is his favourite.

Okay. I also just told you he was part of two of the best chances yesterday. He wouldnt have been credited with an assist for either but he was part of those attacks. He was the reason those chances were there in the first place. That is already an example that he does do something. He doesnt do enough but your overreaction that he doesnt do anything whatsoever is just against the facts.

Ten Hag will also keep playing Antonny because he is an outlet of the right. There were a few times yesterday when Antony received the ball of the defenders and runs forward with it. He keeps the ball in the team that way. The foul that was made on him just before he was subbed was such a situation if i remember correctly.

Antony received the ball from the defense and tries to run forward with it. When he is a bit more forward he will usually just pass it sideways to keep the ball in the team which isnt what you would expect your 90m winger to do though. Had Bruno received the ball from the defender in that situation he would have tried a long range ''Hollywood'' pass and likely given the ball to the opponent their cb or goalkeeper. That is a reason why Antony is picked as the right winger. Also Antony his tracking back is dependable. He works hard. Again, not what you expect from your 90m winger but for a manager in trouble it is totally understandable to pick a dependable player. He didnt start yesterday because he is the favorite. He started yesterday because he was the most logical option to start.

 

[miked99]

I think a more pertinent question would be why are we so consistently unable to attack fluently, no matter who the manager is?

Apart from those two really good spells under Ole, we've looked absolutely clueless in attack ever since SAF left. Couldn't score under Moyes, could barely muster a shot under LVG, didn't want to have shots under Jose, under Ole was the only time we've ever looked fluent at all but it didn't last, and now once again back to looking like we've just picked random footballers to play together.

It's not even the same players. People going "oh, coaching" as if that list of managers have somehow managed to achieve all they've done in the game without having the basic ability to oversee the coaching of stringing three passes together in attack or hiring coaches that are capable of same.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Nothing much has changed, other than Rashford - our top goalscorer last season, isn't scoring this season. That being said, as a team, we create very few chances, and leave it down to our attacking players to create something from very little which, if you look at the players you listed, not a lot of them can do that.

 

[izec]

ETH

 

[TheRedHearted]

Rashford Hojland
Bruno
(Sub in garnacho and or Scott)​

 

[Red in STL]

What golden chances?

He took that shot too early when their keeper fecked up and Rashford set him up. Still got it on target. Probably should have took his time and placed it better.

Apart from that what other chances was he expected to score? The one where it was fired into him out of nowhere via a deflection, which he still managed to control and get a shot away despite being in the keepers face? And the one were Rashford fired a hopeful ball across the goal line where Hojlund beat two defenders to have a lunge at it?

If you expect someone to score whenever they get a sniff of a chance then you'll always be disappointed.

Exactly this

 

[Red in STL]

It's the tactics and the midfield behind them. We don't have anyone who's careful and creative on the ball, all we have is Bruno who is all action, pass first, think later. We need a creative midfielder who can keep the ball. We also need tactics that allow our attacking players to thrive.

Actually we do have one, unfortunately his legs aren't what they were so he needs to be used in the right games, Danish fella called Eriksen

 

[alexthelion]

Absolute drivel

Wow!

I know this fanbase is generally negative, but this!!!!!!!!

 

[Nevilles.Wear.Prada]

Its like cut backs has been erased from the squad since nani left the club.

 

[Red in STL]

Last season Antony had 2 assists in 26 league games. We provide no threat at all from the right, unless it’s the full back. His continued inclusion simply cannot be justified on the basis of his output but Ten Hag will never drop him because Antony is his favourite.

Look at the alternatives

Sancho - he's never coming back
Pellestri - too lightweight, unless he bulks up he'll never be anything in the PL
Garancho - not at the level needed to be a consistent starter yet
Rashford - he's more effective on the left and is way too inconistent
Mount - not been here long enough to judge but he;s a possible option to try
Amad - been injured so jury is out, from what I've seen maybe a bit too lightweight as well
Martial - we're really in trouble if he playes as a winger
Bruno - he's not a winger and is not disciplined enough to play as one

Then there's Antony, needs an overlapping full back to really have an effect IMO, he has the right attitude and has fight in him which is more than can be saif for some of the previously mentioned names

 

[alexthelion]

Yep I’m starting to think the same, we really should go for De Zerbie, an actual elite coach just make the change now or at Xmas when and if we are out of the CL, if ETH can improve things between now and then and somehow manage to get 33-36 points after 19-20 games and remain in the CL, then give him a stay of execution but the club buys Ivan Toney on January 1st and tells ETH he’s his starting number 9, they tell Bruno Toney taking pens, if we offload F Pellstri, J Sancho, A Martial and a confrontational sale but R Varane( I say this because his injury record is getting worse and a Saudi team will pay £40m more likely than any team will pay that for Maguire).

I’d keep Maguire until the summer, buy Todibo, loan K Thurham and buy Ivan Toney this January 2024.

We might get £100m for the 4 players I’ve mentioned and we should be able to get Toney and Todibo for £120m plus Maguire will be just fine as a 3rd/4th pace CB option until we have more funds in place. He was outstanding last night even though we all know he has a ticket in him, he should keep his place for City based on that performance.

our biggest problem right now is scoring goals and ETH needs to show that he can improve that part of the team very quickly or maybe he’ll end up being marginalised by the new management of the club if he doesn’t ?

Oh, please

 

[RuudTom83]

Whoever is playing CM tends to drop back into the defence to collect the ball...leaving a huge gap between attack and defence...but with Evans/Maguire/Lindelof you can't play a high line so the base is awful. Then on top of that the attack are either new to the league, off-form, not interested or sulking.

It's the perfect storm for awful football.

 

[GueRed]

Nothing much has changed, other than Rashford - our top goalscorer last season, isn't scoring this season. That being said, as a team, we create very few chances, and leave it down to our attacking players to create something from very little which, if you look at the players you listed, not a lot of them can do that.

Yeah we had the same issues last season. We don't score enough.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Yeah we had the same issues last season. We don't score enough.

And as much as I like ten Hag, ultimately the responsibility falls on him. As manager, he needs to ensure we create chances as a team, and there's been no progression from last season. If anything, we've gone backwards.

 

[Delano]

We don't stretch teams. Aside from Garnacho, our other inside forwards just want the ball to feet.

We're desperate for a profile of winger that wants to run in behind and create space for our striker and midfielders. Make crosses, provide cut backs etc.

With our outlay in those areas though, I don't see any new arrivals for a while.

 

[Red in STL]

We don't stretch teams. Aside from Garnacho, our other inside forwards just want the ball to feet.

We're desperate for a profile of winger that wants to run in behind and create space for our striker and midfielders.

With our outlay in those areas though, I don't see any new arrivals for a while.

Rashford stretches teams, except when you pass it to his feet, the problem is that their football IQ's aren't high enough, Garnacho is young and still inexperienced and should get betterso you can excuse some of it but for every time he succeeds he chooses the wrong option far too often, Rashford is reaching his peak years and he often can't decide what to do or chooses the wrong option, that is not a good sign

 

[sglowrider]

When it comes to performances the buck will always stop with the coaching staff and the manager.

 

[cyril C]

What golden chances?

He took that shot too early when their keeper fecked up and Rashford set him up. Still got it on target. Probably should have took his time and placed it better.

Apart from that what other chances was he expected to score? The one where it was fired into him out of nowhere via a deflection, which he still managed to control and get a shot away despite being in the keepers face? And the one were Rashford fired a hopeful ball across the goal line where Hojlund beat two defenders to have a lunge at it?

If you expect someone to score whenever they get a sniff of a chance then you'll always be disappointed.

2 chances in 1st half. The 1st one, Hernandez would have scored 11 out of 10. The 2nd one, Van Pasie would have scored easily.

I am not saying they are easy chance, but at 6y from goal, a great striker would have converted at least 2 out of 3. Do you think Shearer would miss all 3? Even (a fit) Martial would have converted 1 of them.

 

[Bert_]

2 chances in 1st half. The 1st one, Hernandez would have scored 11 out of 10. The 2nd one, Van Pasie would have scored easily.

I am not saying they are easy chance, but at 6y from goal, a great striker would have converted at least 2 out of 3. Do you think Shearer would miss all 3? Even (a fit) Martial would have converted 1 of them.

Shearer missed many when he was playing for Southampton at the same age Hojlund is now. As did Van Persie when he was playing for Feyenoord or Hernadez when he was playing for Guadalajara.

Even in their prime, it's 50/50 that any of them would have got 1 goal from those 3 chances. If you expect Hojlund to convert 2/3 then you're expecting him to break records.

 

[Ayoba]

Its a huge concern for me and one of the main reasons why I think we're in for a tough season. The lack of goals and assists is one thing (one MAJOR thing) but our attacks look so disjointed, hardly any movement, no intricate, sharp passing, no patterns of play (I know, I know). We simply rely on three things for goals:

1. Rashford on form
2. Moments or wonderstrikes
3. Mistakes from the opposition

Can ETH turn this around? This stage into the season, almost 18 months into this tenure, I dont think he can. This will cost him his job here.

 

[TomSkalle]

Rashford is a one trick pony that doesnt involve others, in other words he should have played in a team where he was used as an impact player, not a star player.
Bruno doesnt have the pass quality needed for a ball playing team.
Casemiro doesnt have the legs for 90 min.
Eriksen doesnt have the legs for 90 min and he shouldnt play sitting midfielder AT ALL.
Martial doesnt like to run or fight at all. Why has he been on this team so long? Is beyond stupid. Exellent in his moments, but thats it. I have an idea, lets give him a new contract.
Anthony was good at Ajax. He is one footed, have no physical precence, and my kids shoot harder than him. I have an idea, lets pay 100 million £ for him?
Høilund actually looks promising, but he will be dragged down by the incompetence of this team, until he has no self confidence left and starts playing like them.

How is it possible to score goals when this is what we have?
I remember when Ferguson had a lineup like Berbatov, Ronaldo, Teves and we actally contended for best in Europe.
Its not brain surgery why we dont score goals.

 

[mintyred]

Actually we do have one, unfortunately his legs aren't what they were so he needs to be used in the right games, Danish fella called Eriksen

I don't count him because he can't move and we're asking him to do too much. He still manages to perform for Denmark though. Instead of buying another player in his mould we bought one in Bruno's mould (sort of) in Mount, who is good but not what we need.

 

[Giggsy13]

Build up play has been poor and the only midfielder creating chances for our attackers currently is Bruno. I also think the loss of Luke Shaw is understated. He’s important in our build up and has over the years developed a great partnership down the left with Rashford.

 

[Irwin99]

I can understand people saying the loss of our defense is a problem (Shaw and Martinez especially) but i'm not sure even a fully fit back four from last year solves the glaring issues. Our goals scored has been average for the past two seasons and it's going to be so again this year unless something miraculous happens. We're just horribly inefficient for such a huge club.

Watching the chances we had against Sheffield United in the second half and just some of the decisions or technique is shockingly bad and this is not new.

 

[Oscar Bonavena]

Because there's too much self indulgence and individualism from our attacking players.

Our main playmaker almost constantly gives the ball away trying to play low percentage Hollywood passes instead of trying to be patient, keep possession and work better chances.

Our wide players are so predictable even mid table Championship level full backs could probably mark them comfortably. Rashford always cuts in on his right looking for glory, tries to dribble past multiple defenders and invariably ends up losing the ball.

Antony always cuts in on his left on the other side, looking for that left foot curler into the far corner which is a thing of beauty when it comes off but which the world and its mother knows what he's trying to do.

So we're left with a young, hugely promising centre forward who's starved of decent service having to watch his attacking counterparts squander possession time and time again.

It's on ETH because he picks them and he indulges it.

 

[pacifictheme]

I like hojlund but maybe spending most of our budget on a relatively unproven, if promising, youngster to lead an attack that was already shy of goals was a fairly silly move.

 

[croadyman]

We don't stretch teams. Aside from Garnacho, our other inside forwards just want the ball to feet.

We're desperate for a profile of winger that wants to run in behind and create space for our striker and midfielders. Make crosses, provide cut backs etc.

With our outlay in those areas though, I don't see any new arrivals for a while.

There is also a real lack of movement off the ball even when we had our first XI available. Feel maybe we haven't got the right players for it or are they just not being coached properly

 

[ayushreddevil9]

They are either braindead, limited or not good enough.

 

[Velvet Revolver]

Okay. I also just told you he was part of two of the best chances yesterday. He wouldnt have been credited with an assist for either but he was part of those attacks. He was the reason those chances were there in the first place. That is already an example that he does do something. He doesnt do enough but your overreaction that he doesnt do anything whatsoever is just against the facts.

Ten Hag will also keep playing Antonny because he is an outlet of the right. There were a few times yesterday when Antony received the ball of the defenders and runs forward with it. He keeps the ball in the team that way. The foul that was made on him just before he was subbed was such a situation if i remember correctly.

Antony received the ball from the defense and tries to run forward with it. When he is a bit more forward he will usually just pass it sideways to keep the ball in the team which isnt what you would expect your 90m winger to do though. Had Bruno received the ball from the defender in that situation he would have tried a long range ''Hollywood'' pass and likely given the ball to the opponent their cb or goalkeeper. That is a reason why Antony is picked as the right winger. Also Antony his tracking back is dependable. He works hard. Again, not what you expect from your 90m winger but for a manager in trouble it is totally understandable to pick a dependable player. He didnt start yesterday because he is the favorite. He started yesterday because he was the most logical option to start.

Good post. Some unseen things can add value. I never get this logic of because he is a 90M player he needs to do x,y,z and then some. So do youth players get a pass because they cost no money? If Anthony cost 35-40 M ( Which is what he should have been ) there would not have been so much outcry on his play time.

 

[alexthelion]

They are either braindead, limited or not good enough.

Or all three.

 

[Velvet Revolver]

Or all three.

Or they genuinely believe they are not the problem and they are the best in the world.

 

[sparx99]

I like hojlund but maybe spending most of our budget on a relatively unproven, if promising, youngster to lead an attack that was already shy of goals was a fairly silly move.

We seem incapable of signing a striker at that mid-20's age where they are at the start of their peak. Ronaldo, Cavan and Ibra all too old. Martial was too young when we signed him and too broken now. Osimhen would have been a better age profile but probably too expensive. I think Kane was largely a non-starter given Spurs' stance and the cost.

That being said I've been pretty impressed by Hojlund. His movement, work rate and finishing look pretty solid. Hes a big lad too. He just needs more service as he's been living off scraps so far.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Rashford is a one trick pony that doesnt involve others, in other words he should have played in a team where he was used as an impact player, not a star player.
Bruno doesnt have the pass quality needed for a ball playing team.
Casemiro doesnt have the legs for 90 min.
Eriksen doesnt have the legs for 90 min and he shouldnt play sitting midfielder AT ALL.
Martial doesnt like to run or fight at all. Why has he been on this team so long? Is beyond stupid. Exellent in his moments, but thats it. I have an idea, lets give him a new contract.
Anthony was good at Ajax. He is one footed, have no physical precence, and my kids shoot harder than him. I have an idea, lets pay 100 million £ for him?
Høilund actually looks promising, but he will be dragged down by the incompetence of this team, until he has no self confidence left and starts playing like them.

How is it possible to score goals when this is what we have?
I remember when Ferguson had a lineup like Berbatov, Ronaldo, Teves and we actally contended for best in Europe.
Its not brain surgery why we dont score goals.

Mind you we only scored 68 goals in the league that season despite having those attacking options including Rooney but it was also built on one of the strongest defences in the clubs history to make up for it.

 

[Desert Eagle]

There is no cohesion and understanding between our players. The only attacking pattern our players are familiar with is rashford running in behind. I blame our players low football iq and the coach. Our team is constantly doing silly flicks and Hollywood balls in the opponents half even when losing.

 

[T Red]

I like hojlund but maybe spending most of our budget on a relatively unproven, if promising, youngster to lead an attack that was already shy of goals was a fairly silly move.

This would have made sense if time and time again he continues to squander chances, but he is barely even been giving any goal scoring opportunities by his fellow fowards who would rather shoot at sight than give a 3 yard pass for a tap in.

 

[BusbySAFDreams1]

We look hopeless that's the problem! need a new striker to back up Rasmus,

Apparently the Bundesliga top scorer is available for 17m

Twitter

 

[Romez]

Overrated and/or not good enough combined with poor fit and tactics.

We have ONE reliable goalscorer and that's Rashford. (I don't mean prolific, I mean when you look at our squad he's the only one you'd put money on to score 10+ goals year in year out).

That's not good enough.

 

[Ayoba]

Another game where our attacking players don't contribute. Something is seriously wrong

 

[AndySmith1990]

I'm going to say that we have the worst attack in the history of the sport relative to cost, both in terms of transfer fees and wages paid

 

[croadyman]

How on earth do we get this attack firing