Latest Manchester United injury concern highlights what Erik ten Hag already knew

Manchester United have enjoyed a much better season in Erik ten Hag's first year.

We have seen considerably better performances from the Reds' defence, barring a few unnecessary errors from David de Gea. The Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane partnership has been a revelation and has pushed United back into the Champions League conversation.

Marcus Rashford has also played his part. A whopping 29 goals is an incredible return to form considering his confidence deserted him under Ralf Rangnick.

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However, United have now become over-reliant on the 25-year-old. Only Bruno Fernandes has managed to enter double figures this season which is simply not good enough if you wish to challenge for the Premier League.

It is no surprise that Ten Hag has attempted to make it clear to the United board where the priority in the transfer window must lie. Speaking in April after the draw with Tottenham Hotspur, the boss said: "Yeah, I think everyone knows, it’s not a secret.

"Over the whole season, we had a shortage of No.9s. First we had the dropout of [Cristiano] Ronaldo, then Anthony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho was often not available, then you have a shortage of frontline players.

"With less players we have to cover many games, so definitely we need the frontline players who strengthen the squad." A lack of striker options is one thing but the lack of goals altogether is another.

None of the players which Ten Hag mentioned post-Spurs have done the business this season. Not Ronaldo, not Marital and not Sancho.

Yes, Martial and Sancho have performed well on occasions but they have rarely followed this up with goals.

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