Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag urged his team to improve their goal-scoring after a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa extended their scoreless run to three Premier League games, marking the club’s worst start to a season since 1989-90.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged his team to “step up” and improve their goal-scoring after a goalless draw against Aston Villa. The result extended United’s scoreless run in the Premier League to three consecutive games and left them with the second-lowest goal tally in the league, scoring only five times in seven matches.
Despite their struggles in front of goal, United’s defense remains solid, securing their third straight away clean sheet. However, their offensive issues have led to the club’s worst start to a season since 1989-90. Injuries have also taken a toll, with Harry Maguire leaving the game with a protective boot after a first-half injury.
While minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched from the stands amid speculation about Ten Hag’s job security, the manager emphasized that the team is making progress and believes their fortunes will improve once key players like Rasmus Højlund regain full fitness.
“We know in this moment we have a lack of goals, in that perspective it’s not a good start, we have to step up,” Ten Hag said. “That’s an area we have to improve. But we have four clean sheets. That’s good because we have to defend proper.
“We create loads of chances in our seven games but we have to step up. We have to take into consideration [Rasmus] Højlund is returning, he’s still coming up to full fitness, but others are stepping up. I was impressed with [Marcus] Rashford, also [Alejandro] Garnacho is so good, and Antony at the end.
“It will come. There are more reasons, sometimes it’s the form. We will get there. We trust the players and one day it will click.”
Ten Hag highlighted the team’s defensive organization and resilience as positive signs but acknowledged the need for more ruthlessness in the final third. With continued backing from the club’s leadership, he remains focused on long-term improvement despite recent struggles.
“I think it’s the fourth clean sheet this season,” Ten Hag said. “You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team. We were determined, resilient.
“Four clean sheets, that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions. We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point, our build up play is good, we are calm and composed.
“We are creating chances and we should have created more. But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”
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