There is only one statistic which really matters, goals. And Manchester United look incapable of scoring any right now.
A 1-0 loss to Newcastle was the lowest point of our season so far and now we have two weeks to stew on in before hosting Liverpool.
Buried within the details of the loss are a few more worrying statistics. Here is a look at three, courtesy of Whoscored.com.
Ashley Young created six chances, more than any United player
This one is a bit of a surprise. It really didn’t feel like a game where United had six chances as a whole, let alone six created by one player.
To Ashley Young’s credit, he kept trying, and he never gave up. This is highlighted by the fact he pumped in 14 crosses, with five of them successful.
Young has taken over as a regular free-kick taker from wide areas, and United are still waiting to score from a set piece. Many of them miss the intended target completely.
It is worrying that United are relying on Young in these situations, he just doesn’t have the quality required to make a difference.
Marcus Rashford did not attempt a single shot at goal
Oh dear. This reflects badly on Marcus Rashford and United as a whole.
When playing as a lone striker there is a lot of responsibility, and Rashford is showing he lacks the movement and ability to link up play which is required.
United need to do better to create chances for him. Juan Mata didn’t make any key passes, and Rashford was only able to touch the ball 21 times in 90 minutes.
It’s not good enough. He needs to do more to get into positions where he can attempt a shot at goal, and make some good fortune for himself.
Harry Maguire had the joint highest number of shots of any player
Maguire should have scored his header from close range in the first half. He will be going over that one again and again.
He attempted three shots in total, equal to Scott McTominay. Between them all six efforts were off target.
It says something when centre-back Maguire is getting more efforts on goal away than Marcus Rashford. United have to solve this.
Maguire is taking shots because he feels responsibility to make something happen, but it shouldn’t be up to him.
The players in front of him are underperforming and there is no sensible gameplan from any team which will have a centre-back taking the highest number of shots.
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