Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal deepened with a disheartening penalty-shootout defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup, marking a prolonged dry spell for the team’s forwards. The match underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Rasmus Hojlund, who has not found the back of the net in 18 consecutive games since his last score against Viktoria Plzen in December. Alongside him, Joshua Zirkzee’s lone goal in 16 appearances further highlights a United attack grappling with inefficacy.
The match against Fulham saw Hojlund replaced by young talent Chido Obi as United pushed for an equaliser. Despite the change, Hojlund’s lacklustre performance was evident as he managed just a single off-target shot. Zirkzee, too, failed to make a mark with a solitary unsuccessful attempt, whereas the 17-year-old Obi managed to test Fulham’s keeper, Bernd Leno, with a notable save.
This attacking impasse comes amid broader team issues, both on and off the pitch. Manager Ruben Amorim has pointed to a lack of service for the forwards’ woes. The team’s dynamics were further strained with injuries and strategic shifts, including the loan moves of key players like Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa and Antony to Real Betis, which have not helped the situation.
The introduction of Alejandro Garnacho in the second half of the game brought a temporary spark to United’s play, leading to an equaliser by Bruno Fernandes. Yet, this was not enough to mask the evident shortcomings as the team struggled to provide consistent support to their strikers throughout the match.
Former United captain Wayne Rooney commented on the sluggish pace and the isolated nature of the forwards’ play, highlighting the systemic issues affecting the team’s ability to execute effectively in attack. These problems are exacerbated by a noticeable decline in the number of shots and effective touches within the opponent’s penalty area by key players like Hojlund.
The broader statistics paint a grim picture of a team that has seen a significant downturn in offensive productivity compared to previous seasons. This is a worrying trend for a club of Manchester United’s stature, with every match adding pressure to find a solution to reignite their attacking prowess. As the team looks ahead, the focus must be on addressing these critical challenges to restore confidence and effectiveness in front of goal.
