A GOAL MACHINE... BUT IS HE WHAT UNITED REALLY NEED?
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S record as a goal scorer is undisputed — but United have hardly struggled in front of goal in recent seasons. Did they really need another forward and would it have been wiser for them to strengthen in other departments? The stats suggest so... Over the three previous PL seasons, United had seven different players reach double figures for goals in a season — no club had more different players achieve this than the Red Devils. MANCHESTER UNITED 7 Rashford (3 times), Martial (x 2), Pogba, Lukaku, Greenwood, Fernandes, Cavani MANCHESTER CITY 7 Sterling (x 3), Aguero (x 2), Sane, Jesus, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Gundogan TOTTENHAM 4 Kane (x 3), Son (x 3), Moura, Bale 73 UNITED scored 73 goals in the PL last season — their most in a campaign since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. PS
SINCE Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment in December 2018, United have made 19 errors leading to goals — the thirdmost in the PL. NEWCASTLE 22 EVERTON 20 MANCHESTER UNITED 19 SOUTHAMPTON 19
UNITED conceded 44 goals in the PL last season — their second-highest total over the last 20 campaigns (behind 54 in 2018-19 when Solskjaer took over mid-season).
UNITED have been giving away a lot of fouls and it is becoming an area of concern. During Solskjaer’s time in charge, United have made the third-most fouls in the PL. SOUTHAMPTON 1,168 EVERTON 1,156 MAN UTD 1,135 TOTTENHAM 1,089 C PALACE 1,083 BRIGHTON 1,079 WOLVES 1,071