Bruno Fernandes and Roy Keane both had a similar assessment about what Manchester United “lacked” during their 0-0 draw against Manchester City.
Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon and may feel hard done by not coming away with all three points.
Ruben Amorim’s side continued to show signs of progress in their overall play, but familiar issues in the final third once again came to the fore.
They managed to create a number of promising chances but lacked the cutting edge and composure needed to make them count. Even with an extra half hour, it never truly felt like a goal was coming from either side.
United did carve out opportunities, but once more, the execution in and around the City penalty area let them down.
Fernandes and Keane completely agree on United issue vs City
Bruno Fernandes was named Man of the Match in the game and he was once again impressive. But when he is unable to deliver the goals himself, United just seem to falter.
The club captain stated that the team needs to have more “killer instinct” – especially when they are creating so many opportunities against good opponents.
“We just need to have a bit more of a killer instinct,” he explained in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
“In the first half we had to many touches when we just needed one. We were patient, very organised but the killer instinct was missing today.”
This is something that Roy Keane completely agreed with when he was assessing the game, with the ex-captain suggesting that players from all around the pitch need to try and start chipping in with the goals.
“United can still be more of a goal threat,” said Keane. “The couple of strikers United have at the club are not good enough for Man United, but there are other players on the team.
“There are wide players, defenders can score goals, there are set pieces. Do you think Manchester United should be scoring more goals than Wolves?
“Should they be better than 13th or 14th? To do that, these players need to score more goals and take more gambles. You have to have courage.”
Lack of killer instinct isn’t a new problem at United
Unfortunately, this has been a problem all season for United and it’s hard to say how players can get that ‘killer instinct’ Fernandes mentioned.
Sometimes it takes a player to score one goal before the confidence comes back – Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund both netted before the break but still look weak in the final third.
In the end, it’s quite simple that United need upgrades in the attacking areas of the pitch and at least one player who is a natural goalscorer.
The best strikers don’t need constant chances to put the ball in the back of the net and that is something that is needed at Old Trafford desperately.
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