Manchester United’s offensive struggles were on full display against Nottingham Forest. Manager Ruben Amorim resorted to using defender Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker in the dying minutes. This desperate measure highlights the attacking crisis plaguing the Red Devils this season. The team is struggling to find consistent goal-scoring form under their new manager.
With United trailing 1-0 and facing their 13th defeat, Amorim’s bench options were limited. He had already substituted Joshua Zirkzee. The summer signing has managed just three league goals since his £36.5 million transfer. Rasmus Hojlund was already on the pitch but failing to make an impact. The £72 million signing from 2023 has 13 league goals to his name.
Amorim sent on “the big man” – center-back Harry Maguire – as a last-ditch attacking option. The 32-year-old defender nearly salvaged a point with his bundled effort in injury time. His shot beat goalkeeper Matz Sels but was cleared off the line by Forest defender Murillo.
Maguire registered more shots on target during his nine-minute cameo (one) than Zirkzee managed in 78 minutes (zero). Hojlund also failed to register a shot on target after coming on at halftime. Nothing illustrates United’s offensive woes better than a center-back becoming their most dangerous attacking threat.
“We tried with good opportunities, but in the last third, the last pass, the last assist wasn’t there,” Amorim told TNT Sports after the game. “Then if we don’t have that we cannot score goals. This season is like that. We had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent to the last third, but in the last third we had a lack of quality.”
The Portuguese manager expressed frustration about their scoring difficulties. “We know the characters of the [Forest] team and one goal can put them in a situation that they love. We have to score two goals to win a match. That is frustrating as it was the beginning of the game. We helped them to win three points.”
Goals have become a significant problem for United this season. They have scored just 37 in 30 league games. At this rate, they’re on track to fall short of their lowest Premier League goals return of 49. This record was set in the 2015-16 season under Louis van Gaal.
The attacking statistics paint a bleak picture of United’s current form. Big-money signings like Zirkzee and Hojlund have failed to deliver consistently. The team lacks creativity in the final third. This has made them predictable and easy to defend against. Opponents have learned that containing United’s forwards often leads to frustration.
Amorim’s tactical approach has yet to translate to Premier League success. The 3-4-3 formation he favors requires specific player profiles and understanding. This system may take time to implement properly. However, United fans are growing impatient as the team slides further down the table.
United’s overall performance metrics suggest this could become their worst Premier League campaign. Their defensive fragility combines with offensive inefficiency. This creates a perfect storm of mediocrity. The team lacks the cohesion and confidence needed to compete at the highest level.
Using Maguire as an emergency striker reveals the limited options available to Amorim. United’s squad planning has left them without adequate depth in key positions. Years of disjointed transfer strategies have created an imbalanced squad. It now lacks quality in critical areas.
As United approach the final stretch of the season, questions about Amorim’s future will intensify. The club’s direction is also under scrutiny. The Red Devils face a crucial summer transfer window. Addressing their offensive shortcomings must be the priority.
For a club of Manchester United’s stature, the current goal drought represents a stark fall from grace. Relying on defenders as attacking options shows how far they’ve fallen. Unless significant improvements occur in the remaining fixtures, this season may indeed go down as their worst Premier League campaign yet.
