Cristiano Ronaldo could be the biggest winner of Man United changes under Ten Hag

Manchester United’s attacking struggles this season illustrate why simply signing star names is not enough. Instead, a coherent plan is needed to ensure those star signings thrive.

At the end of the 2020/21 season, United’s attack was one of the most dynamic in the league. The Red Devils’ top five scorers netted a combined 84 goals between them.

Twelve months on, that figure is just 49. The use of United’s two attacking signings must be examined.

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Jadon Sancho was thought to be a specialist right-winger, making him an ideal addition for United’s attack. United’s right sided attack was often nullified.

Marcus Rashford was often played out of position on the right, both to accommodate Pogba and because he was a superior option to Dan James. Sancho, pursued by United for over a year, had contributed 50 goals and 14 assists across four seasons for Borussia Dortmund.

However, by the end of his reign, Ole Gunnar Solskjær had no clear plan on how to use him.

Solskjaer said in an interview the previous December that he wanted a United attack based on speed. “We want to be quick on the break, with quick players”, the Norwegian said. “Quick attacking players to cause problems when we’re defended (against) well.”

Sancho, for all his qualities, was not a player who utilised explosive pace to take on opposition defenders. Instead, at Dortmund he linked up with attacking full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Thomas Meunier to create and score.

This shortcoming would not have mattered so much if United possessed a mobile striker up front. Instead, Cristiano Ronaldo was re-signed. Despite him still being a very good finisher, he can no longer be relied upon to beat