Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United “need more options” in attack after they finished the game in Real Sociedad with central defender Harry Maguire up front.
United secured a one-goal victory away to the Spanish side to continue their recent momentum of victories but it was not enough for Ten Hag’s side to finish top of the group, as they needed a two-goal win. They will now need to play a Europa League play-off match to progress to the Round of 32.
Anthony Martial, Antony and Jadon Sancho were all unavailable for selection, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting up front and Alejandro Garnacho making just his second senior start on the left-side of attack. The Argentine youth striker scored the only goal of the game in San Sebastian.
Yet the game ended with United trying all sorts of options to freshen up their attack, including the introduction of club captain Maguire as an emergency striker in the latter stages of the game, but no further goals arrived. After the match Ten Hag spoke of ‘needing more options’ in what could be viewed as a January transfer demand of the club’s board.
Speaking to BT Sport after the match, Ten Hag analysed: “We need options because we have problems there. Antony, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho are all not available. It is a team and we are happy with our performances, Garnacho was a threat and was reliable defending. If he can continue that, I will be happy.”
Explaining why United could only score one goal and produce four shots on goal, Ten Hag added: “We needed to bring extra offensive players in, but we were a little too erratic. We did not put our foot on the ball as much any more, there were fewer balls in the box. We had to take risks and that is what we did – but also keep a clean sheet.”
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United missed out on top spot by one goal, as both they and La Real each won five of their six group games. Real Sociedad had won 1-0 at Old Trafford in the first matchday courtesy of a controversial penalty decision – that ultimately saw the Premier League side miss out on top spot.
Ten Hag lamented: “In football you do not always get what you deserve. In the first leg they got a penalty that was not a penalty. Tonight we won, and I am happy with that. I am also happy with other aspects, such as the performance from (Alejandro) Garnacho and Donny (van de Beek) being back in the team.
“Garnacho scored a great goal at the end of a move and we created some great chances in the first half so it was a good win today, but of course we are disappointed that we did not score two goals.”
At the other end of the pitch, United have conceded just one goal – Jorginho’s penalty in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge – in their last seven matches in all competitions. However, in attack they still appear to be somewhat blunt in options.
