Erik ten Hag prioritised a striker acquisition in the summer transfer window as a result of Manchester United’s offensive troubles last season, with Marcus Rashford excluded. However, the Dutchman’s goal-scoring issues have crept into the new campaign, casting doubt on his support for Mason Greenwood.
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A lot was expected going into the 2023–24 season. Aside from the Greenwood drama and the fruitless chase of Harry Kane, Ten Hag seemed to have a potent attacking department at his disposal.
Following a campaign that was his greatest to date, Rashford has recently agreed to a new, long-term contract worth £400,000 per week.
Rasmus Hojlund, who joined from Atalanta in a £72 million deal, became the most expensive striker in United’s history at the same time.
The bar was also relatively low for Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, and Facundo Pellistri to have excellent seasons after returning following a productive loan at Sunderland.
United still struggles to score goals, though. Just 13 goals have been scored by Ten Hag’s team in their first nine games in all competitions. Seven in as many Premier League games, to be exact.
It may illustrate why Ten Hag reportedly wanted United to reintegrate Greenwood into his team before external pressure prompted a change in the team’s original course of action.
The club’s employees reportedly received word from United Chief Executive Richard Arnold that Greenwood would be making a comeback at the start of the current season.
Domestic violence groups and a large portion of the online fandom, however, expressed strong condemnation of the stolen information.
After claims were posted on social media in the form of photographs, videos, and voice notes, Greenwood was taken into custody in January 2022. The forward, who is 21 years old, vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Later, he was accused of attempted rape, assault, and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, but he maintained his innocence.
Charges were dropped in February of this year after a six-month investigation into his future by United, during which time it was apparently decided to give Greenwood the opportunity to resume his Old Trafford career.
Following the U-turn, Arnold asserted that he was confident Greenwood was innocent of the accusations levelled against him and that he would help him advance his career elsewhere.
He then received a loan on deadline day to La Liga team Getafe, where he has made four appearances without scoring—three as a substitute and one as a starter.
Ten Hag is lacking the attacking instinct Greenwood displayed prior to his suspension since Rashford is out of sorts, Hojlund is still getting used to the team, and Antony and Jadon Sancho will be absent for a significant portion of the early stages of the season.
The fact that the former United No. 11 will still be under contract beyond next summer may put the team to the test if he regains his best form and continues to rise in Spain.
