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Manchester United have now failed to score a single goal in each of their last three outings, having also been held to a goalless draw at winless Crystal Palace after a 3-0 hammering at home against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. read more
Under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag conceded his team will have to step up when it comes to the forward areas after the ‘Red Devils’ were held to a goalless draw at Aston Villa on Sunday, extending their winless run to five games.
United have collected just five goals in their first seven matches of the season, their lowest-ever in the Premier League era.
The 20-time top-flight champions have now failed to score a single goal in each of their last three outings, having also been held to a goalless draw at winless Crystal Palace after a 3-0 hammering at home against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
“We know in this moment we have a lack of goals,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
“In that perspective it’s not a good start, we have to step up. That’s an area we have to improve.”
Read | United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe refuses to guarantee Erik ten Hag’s future, says ’not my call'
However, the under-fire Dutchman was keen to focus on the positives of a much more solid defensive display after a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ten Hag’s decision to drop Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt paid off as 36-year-old Jonny Evans won man-of-the-match on his return to the side.
“You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness,” added Ten Hag.
“There was good character and good spirit as a team.”
United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park amid mounting speculation over Ten Hag’s future.
️ "One day, it will click."
Erik ten Hag analyses Man Utd's struggles in front of goal after their 0-0 draw at Aston Villa pic.twitter.com/tySc3iBo5e
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 6, 2024
The former Ajax boss was handed a contract extension to 2026 as recently as July after winning the FA Cup.
But he oversaw an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season and United sit 14th in the table ahead of a two-week international break.
“We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through, it’s a long-term process,” said Ten Hag.
“We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have.”
With AFP inputs