Erik ten Hag finds the formula for attack
With each passing match, people have to update the latest statistics on MU's striker trio Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, as if to prove once again an old statement: in the end, coach Erik ten Hag has found the perfect attacking formula to bring MU back to the top 4 of the Premier League.
Breaking into the top 4 was once an impossible task for a MU that had lost 3 of the first 5 rounds, ranking 13th in the Premier League. By mid-season, MU lost as many matches as they won. Two rounds ago, their goal difference was still negative. Only twice in 21 rounds did MU win consecutively in the Premier League (once 2 matches, once 3 matches). How could a team like that look at the top 4, when it was almost certain that 3 of the first 4 positions in the final rankings would belong to Man.City, Liverpool and Arsenal - teams that were completely superior, as if they were on a different level compared to the rest of the league. Depending on the time, Tottenham and Aston Villa took turns playing the role of the best "dark horse" this season. There was also the ambitious Newcastle and Chelsea. It was too difficult for MU to compete for the only remaining spot in the top 4.
MU thrives with excellent attacking players
Chance of top 4
Now, the story is different. Of course, it is still a bit difficult, with only 1/3 of the season left for Mr. Ten Hag and his team to promote the signs of improvement they are showing. But MU can rise higher than the current number 6 position. They are only 5 points behind the number 4 team Aston Villa and 3 points behind Tottenham. Trying to stabilize the progress is one thing. Hoping that the main opponent will stumble is another. While MU is winning 4 consecutive matches, neither Tottenham nor Aston Villa have won consecutively in the last 8 rounds. And who knows (depending on the specific developments in the rest of the season), the Premier League will enter the top 2 in the rankings of achievements in European cups, to be granted a 5th place in the Champions League next season by UEFA!
As mentioned, the key to MU's recent rise is the trio of strikers Garnacho, Hojlund, and Rashford. This season, they have only started together 7 times in the Premier League, including the last 5 rounds, which is also MU's best streak of 5 matches since the beginning of the season. The last time they did not have all 3 strikers in the starting lineup, MU lost 1-2 to mediocre opponent Nottingham Forest. General statistics: MU lost 9 matches, scoring an average of only 1 goal/match in 18 appearances without all 3 names mentioned above. When they were present in their "full set", MU scored an average of 2.4 goals/match and did not lose any matches.
It was not until "Boxing Day" that Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal. Garnacho and Rashford both had only one goal from open play in the previous 18 rounds (in addition, Rashford had another goal from the penalty spot). But since the milestone of December 26, 2023, Hojlund has never started without scoring. He has set a record as the youngest player to score in 6 consecutive Premier League matches. In those 6 matches, Garnacho contributed 4 more goals, Rashford 3 goals.
The assertion of the MU striker trio is beyond dispute. But the point here is that there has been no "discovery" in the personal aspect. Rashford has been known for a long time, and this is actually the season that he started badly. Garnacho has been showing up and down. Hojlund has been "silent" for half the season, causing great disappointment after his £64 million transfer to Old Trafford. On the one hand, MU's new attacking formula has probably been formed on the training ground, rather than simply arranging personnel. On the other hand, they are also "having luck". Garnacho's bullet-like shot hit Hojlund's chest and went into the net, becoming the decisive goal that helped MU beat Luton in the round last weekend! With nothing left to choose from in the striker line, coach Ten Hag will be free to focus on solving other important problems in order to save MU in the decisive stage of the season.
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