Everyone pulling their weight now

[Borys]

It ocurred to me after Casemiro and Dalot goals recently, we actually have all the players contributing with numbers.

I think it's nice to see, and another very good sign for the future that we're not reliant on single player to deliver goals/assists. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
I don't want to focus too much on stats but seems like Rashford is really having a very good season, he's accumulating same npxG+xAG/90' as Ronaldo (who is only played in striker role) and has much, much better output in both goals and assists. Another crazy thing are Martial numbers in short span of time, but that might be a one-off (although I do think he will take us to next level once fit).

Is that something that happens to other teams regularly and I am reading too much into it, or rather an anomaly? Because the way I see it we are a striker away from being a really, really good side (also considering our defensive record since City game in terms of goals and xGA).

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It ocurred to me after Casemiro and Dalot goals recently, we actually have all the players contributing with numbers.

I think it's nice to see, and another very good sign for the future that we're not reliant on single player to deliver goals/assists. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
I don't want to focus too much on stats but seems like Rashford is really having a very good season, he's accumulating same npxG+xAG/90' as Ronaldo (who is only played in striker role) and has much, much better output in both goals and assists. Another crazy thing are Martial numbers in short span of time, but that might be a one-off (although I do think he will take us to next level once fit).

Is that something that happens to other teams regularly and I am reading too much into it, or rather an anomaly? Because the way I see it we are a striker away from being a really, really good side (also considering our defensive record since City game in terms of goals and xGA).

That’s how I see it too.

 

[Sir Erik ten Hag]

It ocurred to me after Casemiro and Dalot goals recently, we actually have all the players contributing with numbers.

I think it's nice to see, and another very good sign for the future that we're not reliant on single player to deliver goals/assists. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
I don't want to focus too much on stats but seems like Rashford is really having a very good season, he's accumulating same npxG+xAG/90' as Ronaldo (who is only played in striker role) and has much, much better output in both goals and assists. Another crazy thing are Martial numbers in short span of time, but that might be a one-off (although I do think he will take us to next level once fit).

Is that something that happens to other teams regularly and I am reading too much into it, or rather an anomaly? Because the way I see it we are a striker away from being a really, really good side (also considering our defensive record since City game in terms of goals and xGA).

I appreciate your efforts and insight to look into details. Yes, that's the result of good works on the training pitch.

 

[Tarrou]

interesting that Rashford's xG so closely matches his goal output despite everyone bemoaning his finishing this season

 

[Samid]

interesting that Rashford's xG so closely matches his goal output despite everyone bemoaning his finishing this season

That just proves he's an average finisher. Good/excellent finishers outperform their xG.

 

[Borys]

interesting that Rashford's xG so closely matches his goal output despite everyone bemoaning his finishing this season

His finishing is OK, nothing more nothing less IMO. He accumulated 1,7xG against Omonia (0 goals) and 0,2 yesterday vs Sheriff (1 goal). Obviously this evens out in the end.
His finishing isn't a worry since it seems unlikely he will be our main striker anyway. His accumulated xG is far more important stat (especially that my "eye test" tells me he creates many of those chances for himself).

 

[Anustart89]

That just proves he's an average finisher. Good/excellent finishers outperform their xG.

Not in the long run if I don't recall wrongly.

The best goalscorers are those that get the most chances, not those that outperform their xG most.

 

[Lentwood]

interesting that Rashford's xG so closely matches his goal output despite everyone bemoaning his finishing this season

I have been a long-term critic of Rashford but I have always maintained his finishing is actually really good. I think sometimes the belief is that top-strikers score every chance they get which simply isn't the case, they tend to get far more chances because they a) play for good sides (usually) and b) make good runs/have good movement

In Rashford's case, the team improving will help him. I have also seen signs under ETH that his movement is improving and he understands his role in the team more

 

[DWelbz19]

Probably fairer to say there’s a bit more equal distribution in the side, rather than “everyone pulling their weight”. The amount of goals scored are still far too low — 25 goals in 16 matches in the PL and Europa is still far from ideal.

But yes, those 25 goals being distributed more evenly is a good sign than them all coming from 2 players.

 

[Anustart89]

I have been a long-term critic of Rashford but I have always maintained his finishing is actually really good. I think sometimes the belief is that top-strikers score every chance they get which simply isn't the case, they tend to get far more chances because they a) play for good sides (usually) and b) make good runs/have good movement

In Rashford's case, the team improving will help him. I have also seen signs under ETH that his movement is improving and he understands his role in the team more

Disagree with Rashford's finishing being really good, mainly due to his lack of variation. There are so many instances when he gets himself into a great position and then just leathers the ball instead of placing it in the far corner. If we could combine Rashford's ability to make space and get himself into shooting positions with Martial's curled finishes then we'd have an amazing player. The Lloris save is a perfect example. It's a great save due to the pace of the shot, but if he just curls it into the far corner there is literally no chance for Lloris to get anywhere near it.

 

[Red Royal]

I have been a long-term critic of Rashford but I have always maintained his finishing is actually really good. I think sometimes the belief is that top-strikers score every chance they get which simply isn't the case, they tend to get far more chances because they a) play for good sides (usually) and b) make good runs/have good movement

In Rashford's case, the team improving will help him. I have also seen signs under ETH that his movement is improving and he understands his role in the team more

I am so happy to see Rashford recover some if his form. Hope it long continues. However to say he is a good finisher is stretching it. Imagine RVP, Ruud, Henry or Haaland with some of the chances he had vs Chelsea, Newcastle etc.
He doesn't have that calm composure rget top top strikers need even when it is a split second decision.

 

[Deleted 112447]

It ocurred to me after Casemiro and Dalot goals recently, we actually have all the players contributing with numbers.

I think it's nice to see, and another very good sign for the future that we're not reliant on single player to deliver goals/assists. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues.
I don't want to focus too much on stats but seems like Rashford is really having a very good season, he's accumulating same npxG+xAG/90' as Ronaldo (who is only played in striker role) and has much, much better output in both goals and assists. Another crazy thing are Martial numbers in short span of time, but that might be a one-off (although I do think he will take us to next level once fit).

Is that something that happens to other teams regularly and I am reading too much into it, or rather an anomaly? Because the way I see it we are a striker away from being a really, really good side (also considering our defensive record since City game in terms of goals and xGA).

I think while a great striker would help a lot, it's not even about that. We worked a lot on defence and build up from back to mid, the final 3ed is usually the last to get major focus. That will come in the next few weeks.

 

[Lentwood]

I am so happy to see Rashford recover some if his form. Hope it long continues. However to say he is a good finisher is stretching it. Imagine RVP, Ruud, Henry or Haaland with some of the chances he had vs Chelsea, Newcastle etc.
He doesn't have that calm composure rget top top strikers need even when it is a split second decision.

The chances against Chelsea were harder than they looked. The first was from an acute angle and it's tough to beat a Premier League goalkeeper there. The second wasn't an absolutely perfect touch but Kepa was out really well to smother the shot. At the other end, we would have conceded a goal as DDG would have been stood on his line like a mannequin.

The header against Newcastle was a bad miss but then I think we all know he's poor in the air and when I talk about 'finishing' I suppose I really mean 'shooting'.

@Anustart89 mentioned he just blasts it, which is sort of true, but then I don't mind that. Sure, when he misses it's tempting to say 'why can't he just place it in?' but I have also seen him score goals others would not, simply by absolutely blootering it and beating the keeper for pace and power

Van Nistelrooy is a good example of my initial point, because he did actually miss tonnes of chances...in his case though, he'd 'create' so many because his movement was world-class. So it wouldn't matter if he missed one, because he'd get two or three a game

 

[Slevs]

Well that's what happens when you have a manager that actually limits your game time when you are in bad form or not performing to the required level.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Disagree with Rashford's finishing being really good, mainly due to his lack of variation. There are so many instances when he gets himself into a great position and then just leathers the ball instead of placing it in the far corner. If we could combine Rashford's ability to make space and get himself into shooting positions with Martial's curled finishes then we'd have an amazing player. The Lloris save is a perfect example. It's a great save due to the pace of the shot, but if he just curls it into the far corner there is literally no chance for Lloris to get anywhere near it.

And yet Ronaldo has about a hundred career goals where he’s done exactly that and leathered it rather than place it.
Ronaldo actually had one last night where placement appeared a better/more certain option for a goal, are we saying he’s not a great finisher or is it just the case that players can opt to curl that and hit the post or send it wide, or score, or opt to twat it and either score or have it saved?

It’s certainly not as simple as this Henry idea that a curled/placed shot is a guaranteed goal, over the past few weeks I’ve seen plenty of United players mess up that technique on easy enough chances. Freeze framing it never helps, that happened in a blink, twas a snapshot, something we all credited Mason Greenwood for as a cracking finisher because of little backlift and catching the keeper out.

I think at least 7 times out of 10 that shot by Rashford isn’t saved, gotta give Lloris credit here. Reminded me somewhat of Ronaldo Fulham goal, which also wasn’t placed into a corner.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

I’d agree we’re only really a striker away from a very good side right now however to be a title winning side I think we need a bit more.

Firmly believe a fully fit and on form Martial (think back end of Covid season) and we’d be no doubt top 4 and pushing 2nd.

 

[DJ_21]

Everyone chipping in with goals is obviously down to hard team work and tactics. A manager will get more from his full backs if he wants them to push high up. Promising signs we’re seeing: can’t win anything by being reliant on one person.

 

[matherto]

It’s forever an if but if Martial can get a run of games going he will score a few and the rest of the team will be more fluid as a result. I’d expect Bruno to get more when this happens but also the numbers for everyone else will grow.

Much as people rightfully shit on Martial, he’s been excellent when he’s been on the pitch under Ten Hag.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

No surprise Bruno's expected assists is almost 5, he's creating quality chances.

 

[Anustart89]

And yet Ronaldo has about a hundred career goals where he’s done exactly that and leathered it rather than place it.
Ronaldo actually had one last night where placement appeared a better/more certain option for a goal, are we saying he’s not a great finisher or is it just the case that players can opt to curl that and hit the post or send it wide, or score, or opt to twat it and either score or have it saved?

It’s certainly not as simple as this Henry idea that a curled/placed shot is a guaranteed goal, over the past few weeks I’ve seen plenty of United players mess up that technique on easy enough chances. Freeze framing it never helps, that happened in a blink, twas a snapshot, something we all credited Mason Greenwood for as a cracking finisher because of little backlift and catching the keeper out.

I think at least 7 times out of 10 that shot by Rashford isn’t saved, gotta give Lloris credit here. Reminded me somewhat of Ronaldo Fulham goal, which also wasn’t placed into a corner.

Are you really suggesting that just because goals have been scored from hard shots that weren't perfectly placed before, then Rashford doesn't need to bother adding variation to his finishing?

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Are you really suggesting that just because goals have been scored from hard shots that weren't perfectly placed before, then Rashford doesn't need to bother adding variation to his finishing?

We’ve seen the bloke score loads of placed goals, just this season he has a couple, a poked finish, a fine header last night.
He has plenty of variation, this season’s goals start from around 10:40.

 

[dubplate warrior]

I have been a long-term critic of Rashford but I have always maintained his finishing is actually really good. I think sometimes the belief is that top-strikers score every chance they get which simply isn't the case, they tend to get far more chances because they a) play for good sides (usually) and b) make good runs/have good movement

In Rashford's case, the team improving will help him. I have also seen signs under ETH that his movement is improving and he understands his role in the team more

I disagree on this one. He's decent at finishing it when passing it into the bottom right corner but his other finishes generally consists of leathering it hard as he can at the goal, super frustrating because if he had more variation to his finishing he could easily break 30 goals a season.

 

[eire-red]

Despite the debate around Rashford's finishing, what is 100% true is to say he wasn't even getting into those positions to miss last season.

He has 6 this season, and it's true that he should be closer to double figures, but he looks a threat in pretty much every game and working on his finishing is an easier thing to have to do instead of working to get into those positions in the first place.

The contributions are becoming more spread out (nice job OP putting the info together), but we need more goals all-round in general. We still don't have that killer instinct and mentality across the squad to really turn the screw and transform dominance and control into high quality chances.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

That just proves he's an average finisher. Good/excellent finishers outperform their xG.

What a strange way to read a flawed stat.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

we have scored very few goals, think we are 12th on goals, so i think this is more our struggles to create and score and lack of someone to lead the line and take that responsibility.