FORBES
It might have taken half the season to find it, but Erik Ten Hag has found his Manchester United forward line that can cause a threat.
Aston Villa had to take a 2-0 lead before the Red Devils kicked into gear, but when they did, they showed the attacking prowess that can be possible and should be on offer on a regular basis.
Ten Hag started with Marcus Rashford left wing, who hadn’t started a game in the Premier PINC -0.8% League for a month, alongside Rasmus Hojlund, in search of his first domestic goal, and Alejandro Garnacho, over on the right-hand side.
It has been no secret that Manchester United have struggled for goals. They have only managed 21 in 19 Premier League games – the fourth worst amount in the whole division. It is an indictment on the lack of synergy and service the players have had in the final third.
But after going 2-0 down, Manchester United’s players rallied together and forced a comeback of the ages at Old Trafford. Garnacho, the 19 year old, took the game by the scruff of the neck and if it was not for an offside goal, he would have scored a hat-trick.
The Argentina international has stepped up massively under Ten Hag this season and is now increasing his output. After his astonishing overhead bicycle kick at Goodison Park, Garnacho has put in a run of performances that are continually improving.
While he is still young and mistakes will happen, such as missing crucial opportunities away at West Ham last week, his fearlessness and willingness to keep trying to better his opposite man is plain to see and one of his major assets.
Having never played on the right wing, Garnacho put in one of the best performances he has had in a Manchester United shirt. His speed, dribbling ability, and ability to sniff out chances meant he found his name on the scoresheet twice and put United on their way to stage yet another famous comeback.
It was also the perfect night for Hojlund, who has been waiting all season to find the back of the net in the Premier League. The Denmark international might have five Champions League goals, but it was the domestic competition that remained elusive and a problem.
