Manchester United owner Sir Jimcliffe has voiced his dissatisfaction with Erik Ten Hag for letting go of a remarkable goal-scorer who departed Man united for free and has since surpassed even Hujlund in goal-scorig prowess, tallying 15 goals and assists in just seven games

Manchester United’s owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has voiced his frustration with Erik ten Hag for allowing a highly talented goal-scorer to leave the club on a free transfer. Since departing, the player has vastly outperformed United’s new striker, Rasmus Hojlund, amassing an impressive 15 goals and assists in just seven games.

Ten Hag’s decision-making at Manchester United has come under scrutiny, especially as the team continues to struggle with inconsistent performances. Despite his confidence that winning two trophies makes up for the team’s lackluster league form, the reality suggests otherwise. While United’s structure seems more organized from the top down, giving Ten Hag another season after their FA Cup triumph hasn’t led to the significant improvements many had hoped for.

Over the summer, Manchester United did make some promising signings, including Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, Yoro’s injury, which will keep him out for several months, raises doubts about whether he will get the chance to play under Ten Hag this season. To make matters worse, United’s early results haven’t been promising either, with only three points from their first three matches. In contrast, Manchester City is charging ahead in the league, drawing comparisons to sprinter Noah Lyles, and they seem well on their way to securing another Premier League title.

City’s success is undeniably linked to Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius, but having a phenomenal striker like Erling Haaland makes the task easier. Haaland’s goal-scoring exploits are nothing short of legendary, with two hat-tricks in the first three weeks of the season putting him at seven goals already. Since joining City, Haaland has netted 97 goals in just 102 appearances across all competitions, claiming two Golden Boots along the way. He is widely regarded as the best striker in the world, and his dominance in front of goal is unmatched.

United attempted to replicate City’s formula by bringing in Rasmus Hojlund, another Scandinavian striker. However, Hojlund’s 16 goals in the 2023/24 season, though respectable, fall short when compared to Haaland’s remarkable numbers across town.

Stopping Haaland seems nearly impossible. His physical presence and scoring instincts make him a constant threat, and only an injury, like the one that sidelined him last season, is likely to slow him down. Unfortunately for United, they are unlikely to be the team that halts Haaland’s dominance this season. Even Arsenal, City’s closest competitors, may struggle to keep up with Guardiola’s side.

United could certainly use a prime Wayne Rooney or a fiery Cristiano Ronaldo to combat Haaland’s impact. Reflecting on the past, Ten Hag’s growing frustration with Ronaldo’s presence back in November 2022 played a significant role in the star’s departure. Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford was filled with off-field drama, and his exit was seen as necessary to restore team harmony.

In hindsight, however, United may now be questioning whether letting Ronaldo go was the right decision, especially as they continue to search for a player capable of reaching Haaland’s level. The gap between Manchester City and Manchester United appears wider than ever, with City soaring under Guardiola’s leadership while United struggles to find their footing under Ten Hag.