Solskjaer has built the highest-scoring Man United attack since the Alex Ferguson era

THE NEXT STEP?

 

We mentioned that the 108 goals scored so far in 2019/20 was the best since Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. So how much better do Solskjaer’s side have to be to take things to the next level? Well, in the final seven seasons under the great Scot, we averaged 117 goals, with a high of 123 (2006/07) and a low of 110 (2007/08). Interestingly, the lowest total came in the year we won both the Premier League and the Champions League, which shows just how important a solid defence can be. United had the third-best in the top flight this term (36 conceded), but are still a good way off the record posted by the Ferdinand-Vidic axis in 2007/08 (22 conceded). 

 

For comparison, champions Liverpool have 117 goals in all competitions this season. How can we get there? Perhaps the secret lies with that youthful front three, who boast an average age of just 21.3. If Greenwood can reach 20 goals by adding three or more in the upcoming Europa League games, the club will have three players with 20 or more in a single season for the first time since 1964/65, when Denis Law, David Herd and John Connelly plundered freely. When you consider the improvements made by the trio in just the last 12 months alone, and the form we’ve showed since Fernandes joined, is it too fanciful to believe that Solskjaer’s United can do it? If the last few months of this season are anything to go by, it’s going to be fun watching them try.

 

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

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