Man United boss Erik ten Hag names where his team must ‘step up’ following draw with Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag has indicated where Manchester United need to improve after the draw against Aston Villa.

United drew 0-0 with Villa on Sunday in a largely uneventful encounter.

After conceding three goals in the defeat to Tottenham and the draw against Porto, Ten Hag will have been happy that his side managed to keep a clean sheet.

However, Ten Hag believes there are still aspects of their game that United can work on.

United currently sit in fourteenth place after their worst ever start to a Premier League season.

Ten Hag admitted that United need to score more goals.

So far this season, United have only found the net five times in the Premier League, while Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are all in double figures.

At his post-match press conference, Ten Hag said: ‘We know we have a lack of goals at the moment, in that perspective it is not a good start, we have to go one step further. That’s an area we need to improve.”

Ten Hag stated that Rasmus Hojlund is not yet 100 percent sharp after an injury.

In addition, ten Hag explained that both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are capable of scoring goals.

Ten Hag said: ‘That will happen. [There are] more reasons. Sometimes it’s the shape. Rasmus Hojlund has only just started the season, he has not yet reached 100 [per cent] fitness, competitive fitness. And he is our goalscorer, I would say our best goalscorer.

‘But also others, we know they can score goals, like Rashford. But he scored in Porto, he had a good assist in Porto, today he created two very good chances.

‘I think Garnacho has been a threat all season, but also scores and assists. Bruno has the ability to score goals. So we will get there and we trust the players. One day it will click.’

Ten Hag admitted that United striker Rasmus Hojlund is not completely sharp after an injury

In addition, Ten Hag stated that Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford provide goal threats

In United’s first game after the international break, they will host Brentford on October 19.

Ten Hag was given a contract extension after winning the FA Cup at the end of last season, but he will need his team’s form to improve significantly.

Dimitar Berbatov claimed United players should be ashamed after Jonny Evans, 36, was named man of the match against Villa.

Berbatov told Sky Sports: ‘Everyone on the pitch should be ashamed because Evans is the man of the match at 36.

‘The criticism will continue to grow because United have to win to get the points. They are 14th in the rankings, which is incredible.

“The only thing you can correct is to buy the points, given the way they are playing at the moment, that will be difficult.”