In the wake of their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Ajax, acknowledged the “obvious” reason behind Manchester United’s signing of a striker this summer. Despite creating several opportunities, United struggled to find the back of the net and paid the price for their inefficiency in front of goal. It was clear to see why United prioritized the acquisition of a striker in the transfer window, with reports revealing that the club had an extensive database of around 1,800 forwards in their quest to find the right candidate.
While Tottenham bid farewell to their star striker Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich last Saturday, Manchester United made a rather unconventional choice by signing 20-year-old Rasmus Højlund. The deal involved a substantial up-front fee of £64 million ($81m), along with additional add-ons amounting to £8 million ($10m). Højlund, however, has yet to make his debut for United due to an injury. Despite this setback, Ten Hag believes that the young Danish prodigy’s arrival comes at an opportune moment for the club, considering their struggles in front of goal.
In defense of his team’s ability to score goals, Ten Hag maintained his faith in the current crop of players. He expressed his confidence that the players on the pitch can, indeed, contribute to the goal tally. Additionally, he highlighted the imminent return of Anthony Marital from injury, as well as the forthcoming debut of Højlund, which will provide United with more options to find the back of the net. According to Ten Hag, “If all goes well, Marital is on the way back, Højlund also is coming, so we will have more players to score a goal.”
Manchester United’s lackluster performance against Tottenham was not an isolated incident; it compounds their underwhelming start to the 2023-24 Premier League season. In their previous outing against Wolves, United secured a narrow 1-0 victory that did little to alleviate concerns about their attacking prowess. With their struggles in front of goal evident in multiple games, the need for an effective striker became increasingly evident.
On the other hand, Tottenham’s first home game since the departure of Harry Kane proved to be an encouraging one. Under the guidance of their new manager, Ange Postecoglou, the team showcased a captivating performance in the second half. This resounding victory against Manchester United not only marked Postecoglou’s first win in charge but also demonstrated the team’s ability to adapt and thrive without their former star striker.
After the game, Postecoglou emphasized the importance of energy, particularly when playing at home. He attributed their impressive display to the collective enthusiasm and support of the crowd, which ignited the players and contributed to their commanding performance. Postecoglou highlighted the promising foundation laid by the team, paving the way for further success in the future.
Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham shed light on their glaring need for a prolific striker. As Erik ten Hag stated, the signing of Rasmus Højlund and the imminent return of Anthony Marital will undoubtedly provide the team with more options in front of goal. Nonetheless, the struggles faced by United highlight the importance of a strong attacking force and the potential consequences of failing to address this issue. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s victory exemplified their adaptability and demonstrated the significance of energy and home advantage in achieving success.
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