Manchester United’s first draw with Erik ten Hag highlighted a major flaw within the squad that has persisted since last season.
The lack of cruelty and clinical finishing is acting as a damning inadequacy in United’s quest to win every game.
United had 63% of the ball throughout the match against Newcastle United. With such high possession, there were supposed to be plenty of opportunities.
However, the home team only managed two shots on goal. Two shots on goal in 90 minutes of football.
Fallibility and hesitation in front of goal are hurting United. This performance came on the heels of United needing 34 shots to beat Omonia in the Europa League on Thursday.
What’s more, of United’s 15 total shots against Newcastle, seven came from inside the box. But still, there was inaccuracy or shyness in front of goal even from this close.
Newcastle managed to put their bodies on the line on multiple occasions. The Magpies blocked five of United’s shots.
But no great defense can excuse the two big chances Fred and Marcus Rashford blew late in the game. Nor can he excuse Diogo Dalot’s cowardly duck from shooting in stoppage time despite having a clear view of goal.
Toss out the specs of these two clear missed opportunities and focus on the stat for a moment: Two big chances isn’t enough.
United had the vast majority of possession and also completed over 200 more passes than Newcastle (508 vs 299).
With that, United shouldn’t have had to resort to taking more than half of their shot attempts at goal outside the opponent’s box (8 shots). And they definitely should have created more than two great opportunities.
Newcastle were there for the taking in the second half when United increased their intent. The away team were unsuccessful in any of their six dribbling attempts after the 45-minute mark as United dashed all hope of attack by making 12 tackles.
The defense of four and the midfield fulfilled their defensive functions. But United’s attack still begs the question: how come they’re not more clinical?
