United drought continues but Ten Hag says no need for forward moves

Erik Ten Hag has side-stepped questions about whether Manchester United need to sign a striker in the transfer window after going four games without a goal for the first time since 1992– but he didn’t sound convincing.

United tumbled to a miserable 2-0 defeat at West Ham, making it six hours and 46 minutes without scoring and 13 defeats in all competitions this season.

It’s a terrible record which has left manager Ten Hag under pressure.

But when asked directly whether his current selection of forward players are good enough to achieve the club’s targets this season, he opted not to call for reinforcements.

He said: “We have players who can do it, they proved in the past they can do it. But we also have to acknowledge the facts that we didn’t do it, as a team. So, we have to take responsibility.

“The players who are on the pitch are good enough to win the game. So, it’s about getting into the box, make sure you are there. Make sure you have the willingness to arrive there and be clinical to score a goal.

“The players are capable. I know Marcus can score a goal, Hojlund can score a goal, Garnacho can score a goal, Bruno can score a goal, Scott McTominay can score.

“We have the scoring abilities in our squad and also from set plays. But in this moment we are not doing it. So, they have to stick together and believe in themselves, believe that they can do it. They have to get there where you have to score, and that is in the box – and especially in the six-yard box.” 

Perhaps the biggest concern is the form of striker Rasmus Hojlund, a big money €83m signing from Atalanta in the summer who has struggled to make an impact.

He was substituted in the second half at the London Stadium having barely touched the ball and is yet