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Erik ten Hag is adamant "it will click" for Manchester United in front of goal despite their worst goalscoring start to a league season since 1972-73.

Only Southampton have scored fewer goals than United in the Premier League. United have tallied a meagre five goals in seven matches and failed to register in four of their past five league games.

Ten Hag dropped misfiring summer signing Joshua Zirkzee for new number nine Rasmus Hojlund against Porto in the Europa League last week. Hojlund scored on his first club start since May 12 but he toiled three days later in the goalless draw with Aston Villa.

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"It will come, there are more reasons, sometimes it’s the form," Ten Hag said. "Rasmus Hojlund is just in the season, he is not up to 100 per cent match fitness and he is our goalscorer, I would say our best goalscorer.

"But also others know they can score goals. Like (Marcus) Rashford, he scored in Porto, had a good assist in Porto, today he created good chances. (Alejandro) Garnacho all season is a threat with scoring and assists. Bruno (Fernandes) has the ability to score goals.

"We will get there. We trust the players and one day it will click."

Ten Hag dropped centre backs Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez after United conceded six goals in two games against Porto and Tottenham. Thirty-somethings Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans came in at centre half at Villa Park and the latter was named the man of the match.

Maguire was forced off at half-time and left the stadium in a protective boot. Ten Hag insisted De Ligt and Martinez's removals from the starting XI were "rotation".

"We have loads of games and we have to rotate the team the freshness and I think it was a good decision today. I think the performances from Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans were very solid but also I think Matthijs de Ligt came in at half time and was very solid."