Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that his team is too reliant on Marcus Rashford’s goals. The England striker scored the winner against Brentford at Old Trafford, taking his tally to 15 in the Premier League and 28 in all competitions this season. However, despite Rashford’s heroics, Ten Hag is aware that United need to rely on other players to score as well.
“Yes, it’s the truth,” said Ten Hag when asked about United’s reliance on Rashford. “But we know other players can score as well. Bruno [Fernandes] can score as well. We have many more players across the squad who can score.”
Ten Hag’s comments are not without merit. Rashford has scored 10 winners in the Premier League this season, the most by a Manchester United player since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10. However, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has more league goals in Europe’s top five leagues since the World Cup.
In other Premier League action, Newcastle United piled the pressure on West Ham manager David Moyes with a convincing 5-1 victory at London Stadium. Callum Wilson and Joelinton put the visitors two ahead inside 15 minutes, before Kurt Zouma pulled one back. However, blunders by Nayef Aguerd and Lukasz Fabianski allowed Wilson to double his tally and Alexander Isak to add a fourth, with Joelinton making it five in stoppage time.
The defeat leaves West Ham outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, with Moyes’ side one of four teams on 27 points, alongside Everton, Nottingham Forest and 18th-place Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Newcastle remain third and are now three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand, following a fourth successive win for Eddie Howe’s side.
The Premier League season is heating up, and it remains to be seen whether Manchester United can continue to rely on Rashford’s goals or if other players will step up to the plate. Similarly, West Ham’s poor defensive display against Newcastle is cause for concern, and Moyes will need to address the issue if his side is to avoid relegation. With the business end of the season fast approaching, the pressure is on for all teams to perform.
