Manchester United’s first campaign under Erik Ten Hag can already be filed under the success category, despite the disastrous start to the season and the frequent, sobering reality checks. The Dutchman has overseen tremendous progress. United’s six-year trophy drought ended with triumphing in the Carabao Cup final. The club is still on track to finish in the Premier League’s top four and thus return to the Champions League. They still have a chance to win more hardware this season if they keep playing in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Manchester United manager on striker signing and overcoming traumas
United’s progress under Ten Hag can be gauged by the club-wide feeling of “what could have been this season” and “what may still come.” The end of one of history’s shortest Premier League title challenges left United fans with burned fingers. Still, Manchester United was mentioned in the same breath as the title showed that the landscape is shifting. Ten Hag is tasked with shaping a future for Manchester United, wh, ich they not only contend for. But they also won the Premier League.
A prolific striker is a crucial piece of the puzzle that must be acquired if those goals are to be realized. While the identity of that striker is still up for debate, United would be well served to sign a proven goal scorer to avoid a repeat of Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal collapse. Sevilla was given an unlikely route back into a tie that should have been all but settled in their favor.
Even a quick look at Erling Haaland’s achievements on the other side of town demonstrates the importance of acquiring a talented striker. Even when their form suggested otherwise, Manchester City kept their title defense alive thanks to the Norwegian’s relentless strike rate. Their late-season surge aimed to win the title, not just make the playoffs. Considering Manchester United creates and wastes enough chances to satisfy the hunger of a striker of Haaland’s caliber, one has to wonder what kind of a difference it would make if they signed him.
