Manchester United are once again struggling, with goals being the biggest problem for Erik ten Hag.
Despite putting seven goals past Barnsley, goalscoring has been an issue this season for Manchester United – with just five goals in five Premier League games.
However, goal-scoring issues are not through a lack of trying as Erik ten Hag has watched his side miss more big chances than anyone in the Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee has been the first-choice striker this campaign, although he has bagged only one goal this season as the goal-scoring burden has been placed on the wingers with Alejandro Garnacho obliging.
United sit outside the top 10 in the league and heading into the weekend against Spurs, it’s must-win territory already.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 11 |  Man UtdManchester United | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 7 |
Now, Ten Hag has asked for more from one player.
Erik ten Hag wants more from Joshua Zirkzee
While he may not have been free-scoring in his first seven games at Manchester United, Zirkzee has been amazing in other aspects of the game – namely his link-up play.
However speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of United vs Spurs, Ten Hag was discussing the striker and admitted he wants more in terms of goal threat.
“Yes, I do [think he can become a prolific goalscorer for United].
“Sure, he is young. We see his great abilities. He is a very good link-up player, as you say, he is creative.
“He is creating chances but be fair, also he has his moments towards the goal from the opposition.
“I think it was a great action he had [against FC Twente] and a great finish he had, top save from the keeper but in that area, he can definitely improve.
“We know he has some very good attributes, and he has to improve, and he needs our support on how to improve.”
The goals will come for Manchester United
While there are frustrations right now for United in front of goal, eventually the issues should fix themselves.
For Ten Hag a lack of goals will be a frustration eased slightly by the fact United are creating chances – which suggests that eventually the chances will be taken and this is also the case for United’s £36.5m striker.
Zirkzee is averaging 0.82 expected goals per 90 which stands him in the 89th percentile among his positional peers which means he is currently underperforming in front of goal.
However, we have seen Zirkzee score goals and demonstrate excellent finishing before – so we back him to eventually begin converting these chances at some point in the near future.
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