Matthijs de Ligt has expressed concern over Manchester United’s lack of attacking hunger following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
United’s latest setback saw them slip to 15th in the Premier League table, with James Maddison’s early strike proving the difference in a game where the Red Devils once again struggled in front of goal.
Despite an injury-hit squad, Ruben Amorim’s side did create some opportunities Alejandro Garnacho missed a good chance, and Joshua Zirkzee failed to convert a free header but their ongoing struggles in attack were evident.
With just 28 goals in 25 league games and a goal difference of -7, United’s attacking woes remain a serious issue. De Ligt believes the team’s performance was “okay” but admitted that they lacked the urgency and desire needed to score.
“If you lose, it’s never enough,” the Dutch defender said. “We can talk about injuries, but Tottenham had the same problems. We played okay and created some chances, but if you don’t score and concede one, you need to improve at both ends.
“I think the urgency, the hunger to score that is something that may be lacking. And it’s not just on the attackers, it’s also on the midfield and defenders. It’s a team thing, and we definitely need to improve.”
De Ligt also acknowledged the squad’s low confidence, adding: “In the Premier League, if you lose confidence, you lose games. We still had a starting XI with first-team players, so there’s no excuse.
“It’s not nice when you lose five players in one week, but that’s part of football, part of life. I believe you have to earn fortune, and right now, apparently, we don’t deserve it.”
United will look to bounce back in their upcoming clash against an in-form Everton side, but with their lackluster goal-scoring form, the pressure continues to mount on Amorim’s struggling team.