55 goals have been scored in the Premier League so far this season and Manchester United have buckled the opposition net just the once to contribute to that statistic.

It is early days, of course, but this is not a new problem. The Red Devils haul of 58 scored last term made them comfortably the most goal-shy members of the top six, hitting the back of the net only seven times more than relegated Leicester City.

The lack of a centre forward is an obvious problem – one that Erik ten Hag will desperately be hoping that summer signing Rasmus Hojlund can somewhat alleviate upon his return from injury. But with the 20-year-old considered something of a developmental signing, a return of ten league goals would probably be around about a fair expectation to have. With that in mind, another centre forward would be a welcome addition, but there is also another way to increase Man United’s threat.

Set Pieces

Of the 1,084 scored in the Premier League last term, set pieces (not including penalties) accounted for 217 goals – around 20.6%. Looking specifically at Manchester United, their five goals from set pieces is lower than any other team in the league, and makes up just 8.6% of their total goals scored stat.

Had Ten Hag’s side been just average at converting from set pieces rather than simply terrible, they would have scored 12 goals from such situations, based on the 20.6% figure previously stated. An extra seven goals in the right places might have had United mounting a genuine title challenge – even a win, in the most incredibly fortunate of possible circumstances.

Data analysts often earn their money at top clubs by identifying ‘low-hanging fruit’ that is ripe for the taking. This is a prime example.

Recruitment

How Manchester United got here is in the first place is worth assessment. The season before Erik ten Hag’s arrival, United were slightly better at set pieces, scoring seven such goals. That is not to say that the coaching of them has gone backwards by any stretch – towering players such as Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were offloaded, while Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire both saw their gametime dramatically reduced. The team’s greatest indirect set-piece threat from the 2021/2022 season, Cristiano Ronaldo, also left the club as a matter of necessity.

Coming in, Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez are all under six feet tall, limiting the threat from corners and indirect free kicks. As Gary Neville remarked during his commentary for Sky Sports’ coverage of the match against Tottenham Hotspur, the only players that really need marking in Ten Hag’s squad are Raphael Varane and Casemiro. The Brazilian, also recruited last summer, was the only United player to score from the initial contact of a dead-ball delivery in Erik ten Hag’s maiden Premier League campaign.

In the door this summer, the club have recruited two outfield players – Hojlund and Mason Mount. Hojlund may well have an impact as a threat in the box, but the former Chelsea player is unlikely to move the needle all that much. While he is another option for deliveries, United already have plenty of those – Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, and Luke Shaw are all proficient takers, with the first two even having been regarded as specialists prior to their arrival at Old Trafford.

The team has become a more coherent pressing unit with some eye-catching displays on the ball during Ten Hag’s tenure, but Man United may need to adjust their recruitment strategy to take into account the necessity of having multiple penalty-box threats if they are to improve upon their woeful record from set plays. Links to players such as Amadou Onana and Ryan Gravenberch start to make a lot more sense when looked at through this lens.

Mentality and Preparation

While the profile of players in the team is the most obvious reason for the paucity of set-play threat, there is also the possibility of a deeper issue. Five goals from dead balls is bad enough, but only managing to score such a goal once playing away from home is horrendous for a team of Manchester United’s ambitions.

It is perfectly normal for teams to score more goals from set pieces on their own turf than someone else’s – maintaining control of the game is more difficult and referees are notoriously susceptible to crowd response. Both of these factors are doubly true in the Premier League, and Ten Hag’s woeful away record has been discussed in detail by The Peoples Person here.

Control and mentality may well be the key factors behind the inability to take advantage of corners and direct free kicks. But a solitary goal away from home across the season – that goal having been Lisandro Martinez’s reaction to a poor punch from Aaron Ramsdale in a 3-2 defeat – raises the question of whether or not set pieces are being given proper attention, or if they are the first thing to fall by the wayside when time on the training ground is reduced.

This hypothesis starts to look more convincing in light of the fact that, in all competitions under Ten Hag, more than half of Man United’s corner kick goals have been scored by the initial contact from a delivery into the box.

As former Spurs set-piece coach Gianni Vio told The Athletic in a recent interview, “around 80 per cent of the goals scored from corners are from the second ball.” It is yet another set-play statistic in which United are lagging behind the competition. More worryingly, however, it suggests that the team simply are not as intricate in their routines as their rivals are, with only the most rudimentary of strategies prepared for.

Eric Ramsay has overseen an improvement in the team’s ability to defend set plays since his appointment in 2021, but it is apparent that he has done little to improve their proficiency in the opposition penalty area. Bringing someone into the club to help the team make more of dead-ball situations and giving them time to work their magic in training (by the way, Mr. Murtough, Vio is available), would likely be the most cost-effective way of getting more goals in the side.

Final Thoughts

Manchester United need more goals – that much is clear.

But solving this problem is not simply a matter of signing a 30-goal-a-season forward or creating more chances in open. Arguably, Ten Hag actually has the team creating more than enough chances to win games and last season he did have a 30-goal attacker. It just wasn’t enough.

Issues over profligacy will need addressing sooner rather than later, but with United so far behind the Premier League standard in the quality of their set plays, it is clearly the most obvious avenue to getting more goals in the team.

(All stats taken from WhoScored, with the exception of the corner-specific stat, which was observed in this video)

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Rachel Riley, MBE, has criticised Manchester United for its handling of the Mason Greenwood situation and suggested that CEO Richard Arnold should be forced to consider his position at the club.

Speaking on The News Agency podcast (via The Guardian), the television presenter accused Man United of going “beyond their remit” by taking it upon themselves to “to even look into the criminal guilt or innocence of Greenwood’s actions.”

Riley goes on to say that United’s claim of new evidence – evidence the club are unable to make public or elaborate on in any way, shape, or form – is “a slap in the face” for victims of domestic violence.

She explains that allowing for an unsubstantiated perception of Mason Greenwood as the wronged party to build could force victims of domestic violence into feeling that they were “better to keep quiet.”

Rachel Riley fears that the club’s statement “puts wind in the sails of people who think they can get away with abuse everywhere.”

The Countdown star also pointed out that Mason Greenwood’s own statement was completely inaccurate, with the player himself claiming that he had been “cleared” of all charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service opted against pursuing the case due to “the withdrawal of key witnesses” leading to there being no realistic prospect of a conviction, as Riley notes.

That discrepancy is of huge importance – had Greenwood been declared innocent, or indeed guilty, the club would have had no decision to make, as the CPS would have effectively made it for them.

And while their inability to decisively rule one way or another left Man United in a difficult position, the handling of the situation by the club has come in for intense criticism.

For Rachel Riley, the entire episode has been a “disgrace,” leading her to say that she has “ never been more ashamed of the club.”

Richard Arnold, who headed Manchester United’s internal investigation, naturally bears the brunt of that criticism, and is under increasing pressure.

When asked if she believes Arnold should now consider his position as the club’s chief executive officer at the club, Riley did not hesitate: “Yes, yes I do.”

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Ryan Gravenberch has received contract offers from Manchester United and Liverpool, with the player keen on a move to secure more playing time.

That is according to Simon Mullock of the The Mirror, who claims that the former Ajax midfielder has become frustrated after not featuring in either of Bayern Munich’s opening two fixtures.

Initially, it was thought that Gravenberch was happy to stay in Munich after the club turned down approaches earlier in the summer.

And, as reported by The Peoples Person, Thomas Tuchel recently talked up the player’s ability, discussing his plans for the 21-year-old.

However, actions speak louder than words, and with Gravenberch very much on the periphery, it now appears that he is keen to move.

With EURO 2024 on the horizon, the dynamic midfielder is fearful of losing his place in the Dutch National Team squad should his minutes remain so infrequent.

Interest from the fierce Premier League rivals has intensified over the last week, with Bayern thought to value Gravenberch around the £22m-mark.

There is also the possibility of a loan agreement, an idea that was floated last month, as has previously been relayed.

Whether that would include an option to buy is unclear at this stage, although with time both on the player’s side and in his contract, Bayern may prefer to see how Gravenberch develops were he to leave on loan.

To some extent that would suit Man United, who are currently unable to bring players in without first raising funds through player sales.

But whether or not Ryan Gravenberch is the correct profile of player is a matter for debate. An adventurous number eight, the Dutchman plays in a role that can currently be occupied by captain Bruno Fernandes, summer signing Mason Mount, the experienced Christian Eriksen, and academy graduate and Scott McTominay. Young Kobbie Mainoo was also recently name-checked by Ten Hag as a player set for a breakout season in the position.

More to the point, the only natural holding midfielder in the squad is Casemiro and that is not a problem that Gravenberch will be able to solve.

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Sofyan Amrabat, a Manchester United target, was an unused substitute during Fiorentina’s weekend win over Genoa in Serie A.

And Joe Barone is seemingly still planning for Amrabat’s departure, with the Fiorentina General Manager quoted by Labaro Viola as saying his club “are always ready for other entries and exits.”

Barone stopped short of naming the Moroccan directly, but with his admission that “If there’s someone who isn’t happy, we can satisfy him between now and the end of the transfer window,” it is difficult to imagine who else he might have meant.

The hard-working playmaker remains Erik ten Hag’s top transfer target as he looks for an addition capable of beefing up his midfield while being reliable in possession.

Amrabat, as The Peoples Person has examined elsewhere, certainly fits the bill, and United’s opening two Premier League fixtures underline the need for more variety in the engine room.

Man United are reportedly “almost certain” to launch a bid before the end of the transfer window and are said to have agreed personal terms with the player over a month ago.

And their path appears to have cleared, with other interested parties seemingly disappearing from the picture in the last few weeks.

Juventus boss Massimo Allegri distanced his club from further additions, while Barcelona’s financial situation is thought to have ended their interest early on.

More recently, Liverpool signed Wataru Endo on Friday, lessening their need for further midfield additions after having already added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to their ranks this summer.

Amrabat is dead set on a transfer, and it certainly seems that his preference is to reunite with his former manager Erik ten Hag.

For United’s part, there is still space in the squad that must be cleared before any more incomings can be sought.

With Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams omitted from the matchday squad due to negotiations with other clubs, it seems that all the pieces are falling into place for Sofyan Amrabat to become a Manchester United player.

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Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Pavard could be quashed within the next 24 hours with Inter Milan nearing an agreement with Bayern Munich.

The Frenchman was earmarked as a replacement for Harry Maguire in the event that the former captain left the club, although his proposed move to West Ham United has received the final nail in its coffin.

While Man United are still open to offers for the defender and, as reported by The Peoples Person, are willing to offer Bayern more money for the World Cup winner once they manage to shift him, it seems that the Bavarian giants have decided that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

According to the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, Inter have taken steps to “close the purchase” of Pavard “in these hours.”

He goes on to say that they “may close perhaps as early as [today], Monday 21 August.”

Benjamin Pavard is determined to leave Munich this summer, and his social media activity strongly suggested that he was angling for a move to Manchester United.

However, as reported by The Peoples Person yesterday, the player appears to have been playing both sides, with similar activity on Serie A side’s Instagram profile in the last couple of days.

Di Marzio confirms that the Pavard is putting “pressure” on Bayern to sell him, and that he “wants Inter” this summer.

United may have been willing to offer more money for the France star, but with their offer entirely dependent upon the sale of Harry Maguire, the Red Devils are unable to compete for his signature at this time.

Pavard, it appears, has grown weary of waiting on Man United to get their finances in order and view Inter Milan as an attractive prospect.

Their CEO, Beppe Marotta, was confident of a deal for the defender and has seemingly proven right to be so, with the Nerazzurri improving their initial offer.

While Manchester United would have had to pay €40m to sign Benjamin Pavard, Inter hope to wrap up a deal for €30m, with €3m of that made up of performance-related bonuses.

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Harry Maguire’s Manchester United future remains a source of speculation, but it is now a near-certainty that he will not be joining West Ham.

That is because The Hammers are set to sign an alternative centre back, ending their need for the England international.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Kostantinos Mavropanos to West Ham was a “done deal” yesterday, after the player completed his medical.

The Irons will pay €20m plus €5m in performance-related add-ons to secure the Greek, less than they would have spent on Maguire.

Romano expects that confirmation will come from West Ham today, completely ending West Ham’s pursuit of the former Man United captain.

Kostantinos Mavropanos completes West Ham medical in London ahead of €20m plus €5m move from Stuttgart — deal done. #WHUFC

It will be signed and sealed by Monday.

Dinos was at London Stadium today with director Tim Steidten. pic.twitter.com/LwjjDRF5w3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2023

Manchester United are desperate to raise funds in order to improve Erik ten Hag’s team, with outgoings necessary before any new players can be signed.

Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund have all signed for the club this summer for a sum of over £150m already.

However there are still deficiencies in the squad, as well as a number of players in the squad that the manager could do with an upgrade on, or who do not fit the desired style of play.

Harry Maguire is very much one of those players, having put in a number of substandard performances over the last couple of years.

His lack of pace and agility would make him problematic even if he was at his best, which is a level he has not reached at Old Trafford in a long time.

With Sam Allardyce recently insisting that Maguire had turned West Ham down due to their league position last season, and reports that the player was unwilling to make a move without a significant payoff, Mavropanos’ imminent transfer to East London comes as the final nail in the coffin for David Moyes’ pursuit of the United defender.

Some reports have suggested that Aston Villa have expressed an interest in the centre half, but it remains a very real possibility that Harry Maguire will see out the season at Manchester United.

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Manchester United’s Premier League season has got off to a better start than last time around, but the club may need to repeat a trick from last summer if they are to lift the mood around the club and improve performances.

No, we aren’t talking about an 13.8km run. The team does have three points and they have managed to play one good half, after all.

What Man United need is another Casemiro, just not in midfield this time.

Constantly we are reminded that we must temper our expectations concerning Rasmus Hojlund, and with good reason. He is 20 years old, scored 10 Serie A goals last season, and is suffering from a back injury that will likely see his gametime managed even when he does get onto the pitch. United maintain that he has been signed for his potential, but the fact remains that Ten Hag also needs players for the here and now.

In a way, his acquisition should be treated similarly to that of Anthony Martial under Louis van Gaal. The Frenchman may now be a sore spot for supporters and the butt of more than a few jokes, but at the time of signing, he was an exciting prospect with exceptional dribbling ability and a variety of ways to hurt teams. Martial was a ray of optimism shining through Van Gaal’s cloud of overly-considered, crab-passing philosophy.

Of course, Man United now have a far more encouraging way of playing (when it works, anyway), and that could lead to tentative hopes that Hojlund can better Martial’s 11-goal haul in his first Premier League season.

But as it is unfair to really expect him to, and as he is likely to get fewer minutes than the Frenchman did due to his aforementioned injury, Ten Hag would be well-served in signing a more experienced forward to ease the burden on his developmental signing. Even Martial had Wayne Rooney chipping in, although his eight-goal return and shifting into midfield was a sign that Van Gaal probably should have signed an additional striker at the time as well.

Being able to allow for some manner of consistency in terms of player profiles up top would also be a boon for Ten Hag. Marcus Rashford, as discussed elsewhere, has shown increasing signs of frustration in a centre forward role, with the type of chances he thrives on best found coming in from the left and his overall involvement in matches diminishing. Rashford had two fantastic chances inside of 23 minutes against Spurs, made a mess of them, and then went 62 minutes without a shot before his withdrawal five minutes from added time. He threw his boots to the ground in disgust after that.

An experienced striker who keeps getting into goalscoring positions even after missing (bonus points if they miss fewer chances, of course), would be a huge benefit to this side – a greater variety of goals and finishes doubly so.

That is where the Casemiro analogy comes in. After United’s horrific start to last season, along with their addition of only one midfielder to the single biggest area of weakness in the squad, “live talks” were held internally to discuss the addition of an “elite level” midfielder. They landed on the Brazilian and the team was far better for it.

This time around, everyone and their dog could pinpoint Man United’s biggest weakness again, only this time it was up front. Once more, one player has been brought in to reinforce the area, but once more another is needed. And, once more, experience seems to be the way to go.

Manchester United have signed plenty of ageing strikers over the years, of course, with mixed results. But this is the first summer in over a decade during which the club have the opportunity to come out of the transfer window with both youth and experience added to the forward line. Scoring goals is a far bigger problem for this team than any other, and it has been for a while now. The fact that they have scored one goal – from a central defender, no less – from their 37 shots across their opening two league matches tell its own story.

It is simply a matter of finding the right target and the money to get them in. Easy right?

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The defender is one of the few United players to have captained The Red Devils at every age level, and was once regarded as among the finest talents to come through the academy.

Unfortunately, that potential is as of yet, unfulfilled, despite some standout performances – most notably against Paris Saint-Germain.

He kept Kylian Mbappe and Neymar quiet despite having come in from the cold after ten months without a match under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but that performance, sadly, went unrepeated.

Injuries and misfortune certainly played their part in what could have been a promising career at Old Trafford, but Tuanzebe found himself a free agent this summer.

Man United did have the option to extend his contract for a further twelve months but, with the central defender barely getting onto the pitch during his loan at Stoke City in the Championship, triggering it would have been seen as a poor decision.

But now, according the The Mirror, Axel Tuanzebe is about to get his chance for regular action in the Premier League.

Luton Town are set to sign him, after the player completed a three-week program at St George’s Park, the home of the England national teams, with no injury or fitness concerns.

It would be a delight to see Tuanzebe get back to his best and reach his potential, even at another club.

He does, of course, have Premier League experience already, with 28 appearances in total across his time at Manchester United and during his loan spell with Aston Villa.

Luton Town will be hoping that his speed, strength, and experience will help them fight against relegation this season.

Still just 25, if Axel Tuanzebe has truly put his injury woes behind him, he could turn out to be the bargain of the summer.

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Benjamin Pavard’s transfer saga has taken another twist today, with Manchester United still keen on the Bayern Munich player in the event that Harry Maguire leaves the club.

As reported by The Peoples Person yesterday, United have informed the Bavarian giants that they will meet their €40m asking price once they shift the England star.

This would leave Inter Milan, who have also been in negotiation with Bayern, comfortably outbid, with the Serie A side only prepared to pay €25m plus bonuses.

The World Cup winner has been angling for a move, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current season. Far from having any interest in a renewal, Pavard has made it clear that he wants out this month.

That has only been reinforced by his social media activity, with the defender taking to Instagram to comment on and ‘like’ several posts related to Manchester United and on his international colleague Raphael Varane’s profile.

But today’s paper edition of Corriere dello Sport now points to similar social media activity from Pavard relating to Inter Milan, with the player ‘liking’ a post on Inter’s Instagram profile yesterday. The player seems to be playing both sides.

Beppe Marotta certainly thinks that Benjamin Pavard is dead-set on joining his side, saying yesterday that “he has expressed his desire to come to us and it is a lot.” The Inter CEO simply thinks that an agreement will come as soon as Bayern find themselves a replacement.

While Marotta seemingly has received encouragement, it would be difficult to see Inter Milan as the serious main to United’s chances of signing of signing Pavard. Discussions have been going on for a lot longer between Bayern and The Red Devils for a start.

The fact that United are promising considerably more money is perhaps the bottom line, but the France star has also shown more interest in a switch to Old Trafford recently than he has done regarding Simeone Inzaghi’s side.

As reported by The Peoples Person, Pavard has even spoken to Erik ten Hag about his potential role of the team, and in the aftermath on that conversation is said to be “willing to fight” to join the Dutchamn’s squad.

The only real barrier remains Harry Maguire. Sam Allardyce recently revealed that the former captain wanted a club with better prospect than West Ham, opening up the suggestion that another club would be considered.

Maguire missed yesterday’s ill-fated trip to North London and, while he officially had a “minor knock,” the centre half has historically travelled with the team regardless. His new position in the dressing room, having been stripped of the captaincy after falling down the pecking order, might just finally be hitting home. Gareth Southgate, who will want a match-fit Maguire in his EURO 2024 squad, will certainly be hoping so.

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Manchester United are moving to signing Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti to strengthen their midfield.

That is according to L’Equipe (via PSGTalk), who claim that The Red Devils have “come forward” in the last few days to express their interest in the Italian playmaker.

Also in the picture are Bayern Munich, although as things stand, Verratti will be leaving European football altogether.

The diminutive midfielder has already agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, who are yet to reach an accord with PSG.

That leaves the door open for Bayern and United to make an approach, and while neither are likely to offer the same level of financial windfall, the chance to stay in Europe could appeal.

At 30 years of age, Verratti still has plenty to offer at the top level of the game and has plenty of experience as a world class player.

His passing range and phenomenal press resistance are exceptional facets of his game, while he is far from shy of getting mud on his boots, with the Italy star enjoying the defensive side of the game.

Man United would benefit from having a natural deep playmaker in their squad, with Christian Eriksen the only midfielder in the squad comfortable creating from deep.

However, Verratti would come with plenty of issues that Erik ten Hag could really do without. His injury record is far from encouraging, for example.

Last season alone, he missed a total of 42 days due to various injuries, according to Transfermarkt. During his time in Paris, he has never once finished a season with more than thirty league starts.

That kind of record does not bode well for a player on the wrong side of thirty, and for the money he would cost – PSG are though to want in excess of £25m before getting into the reported £252,000-a-week in wages he currently commands – Ten Hag would probably be better off looking elsewhere.

It would be little surprise if this link came from PSG themselves, as a bid to put pressure on Al-Ahli to up their offer.

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