INEOS could be about to get rid of something Erik ten Hag has said he wants at Manchester United

After Marcus Rashford established himself as Manchester United’s most reliable source of goals in 2022/23, the club’s objective for the 2023 summer transfer window was clear: sign a striker.

They did just that, bringing in Rasmus Hojlund from Italian outfit Atalanta for an initial fee of £64m. The Reds were unable to rely on the prolific number 9 in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge and felt Hojlund was the ideal candidate to join forces with Rashford and lead the attack.

Despite Rashford’s withdrawal, Hojlund ended his debut season at Old Trafford with 16 goals to his name. While it was by no means a mind-blowing comeback, it was certainly respectable.

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But Rashford’s tally of eight goals in all competitions has meant increased pressure on the Dane to deliver. However, arriving in England at the age of 20, United had to manage expectations.

Fortunately, United’s midfielders have stepped up this season, with Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal Mejbri and Casemiro scoring 38 goals between them. With Fernandes being the only member of the group who is a complete attacking midfielder, it was an impressive strike from the engine room.

Fernandes and McTominay shared the bulk of the load, scoring 25 goals between them, but Mainoo chipped in with five and Casemiro was also halfway to reaching double figures. Eriksen, Mount and Hannibal got one each.

Scoring goals has not been something that has come easily to United this season; they scored just 57 in the Premier League, the fewest of any top nine finisher. In all competitions, they have scored 88 times in total.

Taking this number of 88 into account, United’s midfielders contributed 43.2% of their total output, highlighting their importance. Fernandes finished the season with 15 and McTominay scored 10.

But before this summer’s transfer window opens for business, it’s no secret that big changes will be made to United’s squad landscape, and their midfield could be one of the areas most affected. Of a host of United midfielders, only Mainoo has made the untouchables list, while there is a good chance McTominay, Casemiro, Eriksen and Hannibal will be moved on to raise funds and free up space for new you arrive

United want to sign a central midfielder this summer, with Casemiro a likely candidate to be moved on. The Brazilian has scored 12 goals in his United career, but further reinforcements may be needed to improve the midfield department. McTominay is one of the most sold assets in the squad and any funds raised from a potential sale would count as pure profit due to his status as an academy graduate.

As much as United should struggle to do that because of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules, they will have to try to ensure that any replacements present a goal threat. United need to have players all over the pitch capable of scoring and contributing to the attacking power of the team, as Ten Hag has demanded in his first season in charge.

“We have a lot of scorers in the attacking department,” he said, speaking in October 2022. “But we also need something in midfield and in the defensive department.”

United ended the 2022/23 season with 34 goals from their midfielders, meaning they saw a slight increase in 2023/24. But there could be more personnel turnover this summer than last, with only Marcel Sabitzer and Fred departing from that area of ​​the team.

United will hope Mainoo builds on his number five this season, while they will also hope Mount can overcome his injury nightmare this season to provide more of a goal threat. However, as much as United’s midfield landscape needs to change, their revenue will need to be replaced with players who can contribute in the final third.

While there’s no denying that the midfield department is in need of a change, United must consider their options. They cannot afford to be short of goals in the engine room and put more pressure on the likes of Hojlund and Rashford.