Manchester United are only a few weeks into the new season, yet one statistic already sums up their frustrations in front of goal: 7.82 expected goals (xG) but only two goals scored. On paper, that’s a staggering underperformance, and it paints a clear picture of a team struggling to finish what they start.
The numbers don’t lie. United are moving the ball effectively, finding spaces, and creating openings. But in football, chance creation means little without the final touch, and so far, the forwards in red have lacked the composure to punish opponents.
Understanding the Numbers
Expected goals, or xG, is a metric used to measure the quality of chances. A team with nearly eight xG across a handful of games would usually be expected to have scored six or seven times. United have managed just two, leaving them five goals behind where they should be.
That’s not bad luck alone. It’s a reflection of poor finishing and a lack of confidence in the penalty area. The build-up play is working; the end product is not.
The Main Culprits
So who is underperforming the most?
- Rasmus Højlund has carried much of the burden as the primary striker. He’s been lively, pressing defenders and finding decent shooting positions. Yet the clinical edge he showed at Atalanta and with Denmark hasn’t translated into goals. For a young forward, confidence is everything, and the longer the drought lasts, the heavier it will feel.
- Marcus Rashford, last season’s top scorer, has also been guilty of wastefulness. Too often, he opts for power over precision, driving shots straight at the goalkeeper or wide of the target. His ability to create danger is undoubted, but ruthlessness is what separates good forwards from great ones.
- Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, continues to rack up shots from distance. His creativity remains crucial, but his finishing, especially from promising areas, hasn’t been sharp enough. As captain, he shoulders responsibility both as provider and as a goal threat.
Elsewhere, chances have fallen to players like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, but neither has delivered the breakthrough moments needed to change the narrative.
What’s Going Wrong?
There are several layers to United’s finishing woes:
- Decision Making
Players are often taking the wrong option in the final third—shooting when a pass is on, or hesitating when the moment calls for instinct. This slows down attacks and makes chances easier for defenders to block. - Confidence Issues
Confidence plays a huge role in finishing. United’s recent inconsistency means forwards are snatching at opportunities, desperate to score instead of trusting their technique. - Predictability
United’s attack can sometimes feel one-dimensional. Opponents know Rashford wants to cut in from the left, or Højlund will run between the centre-backs. Without variation, defences can prepare and narrow shooting angles. - Over-Reliance on Certain Players
When Rashford and Bruno don’t deliver, United’s goal threat dips dramatically. Other squad members need to step up, particularly from midfield and wide areas.
Comparisons to Last Season
Last year, United also struggled for goals in patches, relying heavily on Rashford’s purple patch. When his form dipped, the team’s scoring output fell sharply. That inconsistency is once again rearing its head.
What’s worrying is that, statistically, United are doing more right this season in terms of creating chances. The xG tally shows the opportunities are there. The issue is putting the ball in the net.
What Amorim Must Do
For manager Rúben Amorim, the challenge is clear: sharpen United’s finishing without disrupting the flow of their attacking play. Here are a few solutions he may consider:
- Extra Focus on Finishing in Training
Strikers need repetition. Training drills that simulate real match scenarios—first-time finishes, one-on-ones, volleys under pressure—can build the habits that translate into goals. - Encouraging Calmness in the Box
Many United shots are rushed. Amorim must encourage composure, reminding players that they don’t always need to lash at the ball. Placement often beats power. - Tactical Adjustments
Adding variety to attacking patterns could help. For example, overlapping full-backs delivering cut-backs might create higher-percentage chances than speculative shots from distance. - Spreading Responsibility
Midfielders like Mason Mount, Casemiro, and even defenders on set pieces must contribute more regularly. United cannot lean so heavily on Rashford and Bruno.
The Bigger Picture
The good news? Teams that continually underperform xG rarely stay that way. Sooner or later, the finishing usually improves and the goals start to flow. If United continue creating chances at this rate, the law of averages suggests results will turn around.
The danger, however, is that a lack of clinical edge could cost points in the meantime. In the Premier League, failing to take chances often means being punished at the other end. Dropped points early in the season can pile on pressure later.
Final Thoughts
Manchester United’s problem is not chance creation—it’s chance conversion. With 7.82 expected goals and only two to show for it, they are underachieving by a wide margin. But the situation is not irreversible.
If Rúben Amorim can instil calmness, confidence, and a sharper edge in his forwards, United could quickly transform from wasteful to lethal. Until then, fans may continue to watch through their fingers as glorious opportunities go begging.
