Manchester United's Europa League campaign faces a crucial test as they prepare for the second leg against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie delicately poised and presenting a critical juncture for the team. With 34 league goals this season, Manchester United has scored fewer goals than five other teams in the league, highlighting a misfiring attack that threatens their European ambitions.
The team's scoring struggles are evident when compared to their city rivals Manchester City, who have netted an impressive 342 goals in the same period. Meanwhile, Brentford has also outperformed with 210 goals. This stark contrast underscores the challenges facing Manchester United as they seek to secure silverware this season.
Thursday's encounter could prove pivotal for Manager Amorim, as winning the Europa League would offer him an opportunity to conclude his inaugural season with a trophy and secure Champions League qualification. Such success would be a significant achievement given the team's recent form and goal-scoring difficulties.
In the first leg against Real Sociedad, held in San Sebastian, northern Spain, both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances. Real Sociedad's own goal-scoring woes were apparent, having netted fewer goals than bottom side Valladolid in LaLiga this season. This inability to find the back of the net has been mirrored by Manchester United, who have not scored a first-half goal from open play since their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on December 7.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund's performance has come under scrutiny, as he has registered the fewest touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes (3.05) among Premier League strikers who have played at least 500 minutes. This statistic highlights the team's ongoing issues in converting opportunities into goals.
Despite taking the same number of shots as Aston Villa, Manchester United has only managed to score 34 goals compared to Villa's 41, placing them eighth in the table. Furthermore, Manchester United has amassed just 206 league goals across the past four seasons combined, emphasizing a trend of underperformance in front of goal.
The team's tendency to start games slowly is another area of concern, as they have not scored an early goal in nearly three months. This pattern could prove detrimental in high-stakes matches like the upcoming Europa League tie.
Manchester United's CEO Omar Berrada emphasized the financial implications of their European campaign, stating:
"There's no doubt that if we qualify to the Champions League, we will have more revenues and we'll have more capacity to invest in the team."
This statement underscores the importance of Thursday's game not just for sporting success but also for the club's financial future and ability to strengthen the squad.
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