Manager Erik ten Hag and defender Luke Shaw blamed this week's poor finishing for Manchester United's waning form and dismal away record.
On Thursday night in Brighton, United lost another three points, leaving them with only one point from all of their away contests against the top 10 teams this year.
Following the game, both Shaw—who gave up the last-second penalty that lost United a point—and Ten Hag claimed that the Red Devils' inability to convert chances was the primary factor in their defeat.
Only Marcus Rashford (29) and Bruno Fernandes (11) have reached double digits in scoring for the entire season.
According to data from footystats.org, United's finishing this season has been careless both at home and away, proving Ten Hag and Shaw correct.
According to expected goals (XG), United produces the sixth-most opportunities in the Premier League, placing them sixth overall.
Only Wolves, West Ham, Everton, and Chelsea are ranked worse than United when the XG score is split by the number of goals actually scored.
It is no secret that United needs to add quality forwards who can raise these numbers this summer.
Rashford has had a terrific season, but his goal conversion rate—the number of shots it takes for him to score a goal—is only 25%. (Reference: BBC).
At 32%, Jadon Sancho is United's most lethal finisher. With 30%, Anthony Martial comes in second.
Rashford, though, has the highest shot accuracy (67%), which means he frequently directs his strikes straight at the goalkeeper.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City, the league's top scorer, has converted 38% of his shots, more than Martial, with a shot accuracy of 62%, less than Rashford (source: BBC).
The chances that are produced for Riyad Mahrez (29%), Julian Alvarez (28%), and Phil Foden (33%) are better than those for any United player. However, this is due to the stronger XG.
It's interesting to note that Harry Kane, who is reportedly United's top transfer target and who is frequently cited as the answer to United's scoring woes, has had the same mediocre goal conversion rate as Rashford this season (25%), with shots on goal at 57%. (Reference: BBC).
This does not imply that Martial or Foden, for instance, are inherently better finishers than Kane, since much depends on the shooting position of the player (difficult or easy) and the team's directives (such as shoot on sight).
Kane's XG for Spurs is lower than United's, indicating that he may be partially dependent on leftovers.
Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that United's goal conversion rate is relegation-fighting level and urgently has to rise. Rashford's comeback this season has garnered offensive coach Benni McCarthy a lot of praise. McCarthy must share some of the blame for this error and work with Ten Hag and the players to make it right as soon as possible.
In a bid to solve Manchester United's attacking problems, the latest development indicates that the Red Devils could instigate a swap deal with Seria A giants, Inter Milan for World Cup winning striker, Lautaro Martinez.
Manchester United 'ready' to pay Inter Milan €50 million plus Anthony Martial, according Calciomercatoweb (via Manchester Evening News).
Prior to the forthcoming transfer window, the Red Devils are attempting to get the international's signature. The Old Trafford team is willing to include the former AS Monaco striker in the deal because of this.
The 25-year-old has, nonetheless, played an important role for the Nerazzurri over time. The Serie A powerhouses will probably demand more money for the 2022 World Cup victor as a result.
Since the summer of 2018, Martinez has been a member of Inter. The Argentine has improved as an attacker over time and gained a keen eye for goal.
Romelu Lukaku is another player at Simone Inzaghi's disposal. The Belgian, though, is a Chelsea loanee playing for the Italian team. Edin Dzeko plays for the Nerazzurri as well, but the 37-year-old is not getting any younger.
Martial, meanwhile, joined United from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015. The 27-year-old has struggled at the Old Trafford team over the years to live up to his promise.
Due to several fitness difficulties, the French national has missed a lot of the current season. Erik ten Hag hasn't been able to rely on him as a result.
The Red Devils acquired Wout Weghorst in January on a temporary loan from Burnley. The Dutch international has not impressed while playing for the Manchester-based team.
United therefore needs someone like Martinez to join their ranks. But will Inter accept a bid for their talisman that included a Martial who was prone to injuries?
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