Erik ten Hag has acknowledged the culpability of a surprising player for Manchester United’s dismal loss this evening against West Ham.

Manchester United’s struggles in the attacking department have reached a critical point, as evidenced by their lackluster 2-0 loss to West Ham United.

The team’s offensive woes are underscored by alarming statistics, with 24 games yielding only 11 wins and a troubling 13 losses. The attacking impotence is further accentuated by a four-game goal drought, with Rasmus Hojlund yet to find the net in the Premier League, and Antony grappling with persistent struggles.

While defensive resilience earned commendation in matches against Bayern and Liverpool, the West Ham game laid bare the vulnerabilities of United’s attack. A stark illustration of their offensive struggles is the fact that Jarrod Bowen alone scored more goals than the entire United starting XI.

Despite a solid defensive unit coping with injuries and the introduction of Willy Kambwala, the attacking department’s underperformance is a glaring issue. With all attackers available, injuries can no longer serve as a justification for lackluster displays.

Erik ten Hag faces a challenging situation where attempted solutions, including the consistent presence of Scott McTominay, inadvertently create problems. The absence of midfield-generated chance creation and ball retention leaves forwards with few opportunities, making it difficult for them to manufacture chances independently.

The team’s mentality is a significant concern, with players like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford experiencing declines since signing new contracts. In this creatively deficient environment, evaluating a forward’s talent becomes challenging. The attacking crisis, coupled with a lack of ideas, intensifies scrutiny on Ten Hag. Immediate improvement is crucial, and failure to do so may raise questions about Ten Hag’s job security.