Manchester United ended their tour of the United States on Saturday night with a heavy defeat against Liverpool. According to British media, Erik ten Hag faces a particular problem in the attacking department.
"The team of Erik ten Hag created many chances, but was undone by Liverpool's efficiency, and although the result is secondary to fitness and performance, the margin of the defeat and United's inability to score do raise concerns," concludes The Athletic.
This assessment underscores the challenges Manchester United faces as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.
Manchester United’s preseason tour of the United States concluded on a disappointing note with a heavy defeat to Liverpool, raising questions about the team's readiness and depth, particularly in the attacking department. The match against their fierce rivals highlighted a significant issue: the lack of available strikers. Rasmus Højlund, who was expected to be a key part of United's attacking setup, is out for approximately six weeks due to an injury, leaving a void that has yet to be filled.
New signing Joshua Zirkzee, who many fans were eager to see, has not yet joined the squad, further compounding the problem. With these absences, Erik ten Hag was forced to deploy Jadon Sancho, traditionally a winger, as the central striker against Liverpool. While Sancho showed flashes of quality, his performance did not fully convince. The Daily Mail described his role as "a square peg in a round hole," noting that he never truly looked dangerous in the unfamiliar position. This tactical improvisation, while necessary, highlighted United’s vulnerability in the striker position, leading to concerns about their attacking options for the new season.
The Telegraph echoed these concerns and suggested that Manchester United urgently needs to bolster their striking options before the transfer window closes. With 26 days remaining, the publication proposed that United should prioritize signing another central striker. Ivan Toney, who is in the final year of his contract with Brentford, was mentioned as a potential target. Toney has proven himself as a reliable goal scorer in the Premier League, and his acquisition could provide United with the attacking depth they currently lack.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Joshua Zirkzee adds another layer of complexity. Zirkzee, who was signed with the expectation of contributing to United’s attacking prowess, has yet to make his debut. The pressure is already mounting on the 23-year-old Dutch forward, even before he has had a chance to showcase his abilities. United fans are eagerly awaiting his first appearance, which may come as soon as the Community Shield against Manchester City. However, Erik ten Hag might be cautious about throwing him into such a high-stakes match right away, leading to the possibility of Sancho once again playing as an improvised striker at Wembley.
This scenario presents a challenging dilemma for Ten Hag. On one hand, the need to field a strong and effective team against City is paramount, but on the other, there is a risk of overburdening players like Sancho who are being asked to perform in unfamiliar roles. Additionally, rushing Zirkzee into action without sufficient preparation could backfire, potentially affecting his confidence and integration into the team.
The broader implications of these issues could affect United's start to the season. Without a reliable, fit striker leading the line, the team may struggle to convert the chances they create, as seen in the match against Liverpool. This could put them at a disadvantage in the highly competitive Premier League, where early points are crucial.
As the transfer window countdown continues, Manchester United's management will be under increasing pressure to address these concerns. The potential pursuit of Ivan Toney or another proven striker could be a pivotal move in stabilizing the team's attack. Failure to reinforce the squad adequately could leave United vulnerable, relying heavily on makeshift solutions that may not hold up under the rigors of the season.
In the meantime, United’s preseason performances, particularly the defeat to Liverpool, serve as a warning. While preseason results are often viewed as less important than building fitness and cohesion, the nature of this loss and the underlying issues it revealed cannot be ignored. As Erik ten Hag continues to fine-tune his squad, the next few weeks will be critical in shaping Manchester United's prospects for the 2023/24 campaign. The Community Shield clash against Manchester City will provide an early test of how well the team is adapting and whether the concerns highlighted during the preseason have been adequately addressed.
