Express states that the Premier League table highlights the point-earning struggles of Manchester United and Chelsea, with their attacking issues particularly coming to light despite their respective spending binges over the previous 12 months. It has been evident in many games that both teams have lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Against Aston Villa over the weekend, United pulled off their 13th victory of the year. Erik ten Hag’s team emerged victorious in the 86th minute thanks to a goal from Scott McTominay, moving them up to sixth in the standings.
With the Scotland international’s late, thunderous header, United’s season goal total dropped to 33, the fewest of any team in the top half. Rasmus Hojlund, a Danish international, was a summertime acquisition of the Red Devils for a hefty sum of money from Atalanta, but the Danish international hasn’t yet shown his best form.
The 21-year-old, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho have each scored five goals in the league this season. Surprisingly, McTominay, a midfielder, leads United in goals scored with seven.
The only other member of Ten Hag’s squad who has scored more than once this season is Bruno Fernandes, which is why the former Ajax manager was pleading with the club’s higher ups to add at least one more striker in the January transfer window.
United needs to improve up top if they want to contend for championships and go back to their heyday. They are currently not scoring nearly enough goals to match the output of teams like Manchester City (52), Arsenal (52) and Liverpool (54).
Similarly, Chelsea’s lackluster campaign thus far can be attributed to their shortcomings in the final third. Only 38 goals have been scored by Mauricio Pochettino’s team so far this season, an even more depressing statistic considering the former Tottenham manager is managing a team valued at over £1 billion.
The Blues’ most deadly finishers this season have been Cole Palmer (10), Nicolas Jackson (7), Mykhaylo Mudryk (3), and Christopher Nkunku (3). However, Chelsea’s attack still lacks a crucial component that needs to be fixed over the summer.
Even though his team has a wealth of skilled wingers at their disposal, Pochettino is keen for his team to spend a substantial sum of money on a proven No. 9 who can guide the line for this team both now and down the road. If Chelsea fails to make it to Europe this season, it may be difficult to sign a major talent, so it is imperative that they address their lack of composure up top as soon as possible.
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