Erik ten Hag's naive argument about Manchester United's biggest weakness has been exposed

On Sunday Manchester United are likely to match an unwanted landmark achieved by the Premier League's worst-ever team. When, Arsenal take their 12th shot of the game at Old Trafford it will mean United have allowed more shots at their goal than Derby County did in 2007/08, when they conceded 89 times and won just one of 38 games.

Note the use of when Arsenal take their 12th shot, rather than if. United are averaging 17.6 shots against them in the Premier League this season and only once in the last 19 games in all competitions have they limited opponents to fewer than 11 shots in a game.

Another grim stat doing the rounds after the defeat at Crystal Palace was that United's 317 shots against in the Premier League since January 1 put them top - or bottom - of the league table for that metric. They are so easy to play against.

ALSO READ: Back him or sack him - Ratcliffe must make biggest United decision public

ALSO READ: United preference for Greenwood future revealed ahead of summer window

The defeat at Selhurst Park also exposed Erik ten Hag's argument that he has turned to in recent weeks. It was when Everton had 23 shots in a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford that he was questioned about the concession of chances and suggested it didn't matter because his side were giving away low-quality opportunties.

"We do it already for a longer time in many more games. If you see their xG is not that high," he said. "They are low-quality chances."

Everton's xG that day was 1.6 and they scored zero. Crystal Palace's xG on Monday night was 1.5 and they scored four. This is what happens when you turn every game into a lottery week after week. Eventually, your luck will run out. If you allow footballers good enough to play in the