Raphael Varane has called on Manchester United‘s forwards to show a more ruthless efficiency in a bid to turn their dismal start to the season around.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace made it five defeats from their opening nine matches, as questions swirl over the quality of Erik ten Hag‘s squad following £400million investment.
United have managed to score just seven goals in seven league games this season – with Marcus Rashford himself only scoring once.
While Varane did not pick out any of the attackers by name, the centre back made it clear they need to step up for United to win ‘at the elite level’.
‘[The Champions League] is about details and you have to be efficient to win the competition,’ the Frenchman added, ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Galatasaray.
‘In the last moments we need more efficiency.
‘It is a low number of occasions we concede goals and we need to create a lot to score. That is the reality of the top level.
‘You need to be efficient to win trophies. We have the quality in the squad to win competitions. We have to move forward and improve.’
There has been particular focus on Rashford, who struggled once again in the weekend defeat to Palace.
The England striker has had the second-most shots of anyone in the Premier League – only behind Manchester City’s Erling Harland – and has only managed six of 28 attempts on target.
But Ten Hag is unconcerned, convinced that goals are coming.
‘The facts are that he is not scoring in this moment but he has had opportunities,’ the United boss said.
‘In the game against Brighton he had five to six occasions in good spots. If he works hard… every day, every game with the right focus. If the team around him supply him, help him, support him with movement it will come.
‘Marcus Rashford is a player that is capable of scoring goals in every game. When he comes in the right spots he will score.’