Harry Maguire demands Man Utd find solution to problem Erik ten Hag played down

25 February 2024 , 07:27

879     0

Harry Maguire wants to see change (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Harry Maguire has bemoaned Manchester United's lack of forward options, despite boss Erik ten Hag claiming the club were right not to sign another striker.

The Red Devils were toothless during their miserable defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday, as the Cottagers picked up a deserved 2-1 victory thanks to Alex Iwobi's 97th-minute winner. Maguire was United's goalscorer as he netted a second-half equaliser, but the absence of £72million striker Rasmus Hojlund proved a devastating blow.

With No.9 Anthony Martial also out injured, out-of-form winger Marcus Rashford was deployed up front and touched the ball just 27 times, the lowest of any player to feature for the full 90 minutes. Ten Hag argued ahead of the match that the Red Devils didn't need to sign a third striking option last summer, prompting United supporters to label him naive.

Maguire appears to agree with the criticism, telling BBC Sport after the loss: "We got hit by the injury to Rasmus, who has been big focal point for us but it is up to us to find the solutions and the areas we need to improve on. He has been our focal point, we can play into him, he holds it up, he starts the press really well, not only that but Marcus has been playing really well on the left. It's the story of our season, we've been injury-hit - as other teams have - and we need to find a solution quick."

With Martial out of contract, it feels inevitable that Ten Hag will recruit a new striker this summer - if he's still in charge. The Red Devils boss had "really tried" to sign a forward in January, but Financial Fair Play restrictions stood in his way. "When I got the news about Anthony Martial, start of January, I really tried to get another striker in because we are vulnerable there," Ten Hag explained. "But FFP was the thing [stopping us]. We couldn't do it."

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Your turn! Which striker should Manchester United sign this summer? Give us your pick in the comments section.

Erik ten Hag has no out-and-out striker available (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Harry Maguire has bemoaned Manchester United's lack of options (Visionhaus/Getty Images)

The United manager added: "We were happy to bring Rasmus Hojlund in. We had two strikers. Martial has done great things for us last season. So, he is also on high payment in this club. We should have expected more, that is the truth. But to bring in another striker, that means you rule him (Martial) totally out at the start of the season."

Nathan Ridley