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Issues for Man Utd
- Updated: October 29, 2016
We look at the issues facing Manchester United after their goalless draw with Burnley at Old Trafford.
United were totally dominant against Sean Dyche’s side but missed a host of chances, and their misery was compounded when Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands and Ander Herrera was red carded.
The Red Devils are now eight points off the top of the table having only won one of their last six Premier League games. Here, we look at some of the areas for concern…
Off-colour Ibrahimovic
After scoring four goals in his first four appearances for Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic now has one in his last nine. The statistics do not make pretty reading for the big Swede, who failed to find the net against Burnley despite attempting 12 shots on goal – the most by any player in a single Premier League game since 2011.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton played his part with some fine saves, but Ibrahimovic’s profligacy is a growing concern. The 35-year-old has missed more clear-cut chances (eight) than any other Premier League player this season, with the latest being his close-range miscue from Paul Pogba’s 89th-minute cross at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“Ibrahimovic is a good finisher who has scored goals all over the world,” said Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville. “He will not believe that he has not scored in that match.” The recent run is certainly out of character. This is the first time Ibrahimovic has gone six league games without scoring since December 2007 with Inter Milan.
It’s a headache for Mourinho, but Ibrahimovic should not be held solely responsible for United’s struggles in front of goal. Wayne Rooney, Pogba and Juan Mata all spurned chances against Burnley, and United’s shot conversion rate of 10.2 per cent is the third-worst in the Premier League this season. Confidence is low across the whole team, and it’s showing.
Mourinho in trouble?
Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure recently, and his anger boiled over when United were denied a penalty for an apparent trip on …
