Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admits his team still has a problem scoring goals as the squad lacks “pace and power up front”.
United stumbled to a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage due to Lisandro Martinez’s deflected 78th-minute winner – which was their only shot on target in the entire game.
Amorim’s side had to wait 42 minutes for their first shot at goal – a tame Mattijs de Ligt half chance – and also failed to score from open play in the first half for the 12th Premier League match in a row.
With Rasmus Hojlund taken off close to the hour mark after making little impact and his replacement Joshua Zirkzee touching the ball just eight times in the remaining half an hour, Amorim admits there is room for improvement in his forward line.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Fulham’s match against Manchester United in the Premier League
Asked if scoring goals is a problem for his team, Amorim told TNT Sports: “I think so. Even in the second half we wanted to change something, we lack some pace and power up front.
“But it is what it is. We need to have ball creators, more chances. We struggle a lot in these details. But winning helps a lot to improve.”
Asked if he expects any extra help from the remaining week of the transfer window, Amorim replied: “We have to be cautious. Even the rules here, we have to follow the rules.
“We did [transfer] mistakes in the past, we can’t do it now. We are focused on improving the team, let’s see. Let’s focus on the players we have and focus on the next game.”
Silva: Man Utd were lucky
Fulham head coach Marco Silva to TNT Sports:
“Frustration really with the result in our dressing room right now.
“Overall looking at the game, we should have deserved more and taken more from the game. One shot on target from Man Utd, really a lucky goal deflection and all that stuff.
Image: Lisandro Martinez scores Man Utd’s winner against Fulham
“First half, better play from ourselves. We were the team that dominated more. The ball arrived in dangerous areas much more times for ourselves, we had two or three good moments to create clear chances and to score. I don’t remember one dangerous moment from Manchester United all the first half. Nothing really. We pressed well and created a lot of problems for them.
“The better team first half. Second half, more balanced. Our first build-up was not at the same level, I think we dropped the intensity of the pressure as well. The game became more balanced without one team or the other being on the front foot.
“A really lucky goal from them, one moment that the clearance from ourselves, Rodrigo should have done much better.
“The reaction has to come from themselves. They sat really back, 10 players behind the ball. The clearance on the ball and two good chances from Rodrigo as well. We are the most dangerous team but at the level we are playing, we have to be clinical, ruthless and score goals.”
Martinez: I was lucky to score
Image: Martinez celebrates scoring against Fulham
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez to TNT Sports:
“I think I was lucky, but I’m really happy with the way we won the game. It doesn’t matter who scored. The most important is three points, how we fight, how we play, our character.
“It means a lot. Not only for the fans but also for us. We suffer a lot and it’s really tough and hard when you lose in this club. The pressure, we know is really hard. We know how difficult it is. But we are here and have to show it every game like today. We have to be really humble after winning.”
