Amazing stat shows United's potency at Stretford End

The incredible statistic means more than 75 per cent of the Reds' successful strikes come when the team is shooting towards the famous stand, which has traditionally housed many of our most vocal supporters.

 

In 2022/23, United average better than 1.6 goals per game at the Stretford End alone. For comparison, that's a healthier number than the 1.5 we managed at both ends of Old Trafford, combined, last term.

 

Intriguingly, the figures also beg another question: does this vindicate Erik ten Hag's decision to change the location of the home and away dugouts before the start of the campaign?

At the time, the club stated the reason for the switch was to ensure Ten Hag and his staff were closer to the tunnel and the area where substitutes warm up.

 

Some analysts also argued that it would give the manager a better vantage point from which to direct the team's play during the second half of matches – given that United usually shoot towards the Stretford End after the half-time break. 

 

That topic is one for fans and commentators to debate. But there is little doubt that United are more dangerous when shooting towards the Stretford End – whether that's down to our ability to apply extra pressure in the second half, or the encouragement of the kind of diehard fans present in that part of the ground – most notably, the Red Army section.

Marcus Rashford, as expected, is the man that's leading the charge, whatever end United are attacking.

 

The prolific forward, who has 27 United goals so far in 2022/23, has notched 14 of his 18 home strikes at the west end of Old Trafford.

 

Next are Bruno Fernandes and Fred, who have both found the net six times at the Stretford End. The Brazilian, in particular, seems to love that side of the ground – every one of his goals so far this season has been scored there!

Own goals follow, on three (hard lines, Alexis Mac Allister, Conor Coady and Nayef Aguerd), followed by Antony, Casemiro, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho (two each).

 

The others to have found the net at Old Trafford's most famous end so far this term are Alejandro Garnacho, Scott McTominay, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcel Sabitzer, Luke Shaw and Wout Weghorst (one each).

Meanwhile, United Women have played just one half of football in front of the Stretford End so far in 2022/23, but still managed to score three times, during a 5-0 rout of Aston Villa. Marc Skinner's outfit have the chance to add to that tally on Saturday (25 March), when they welcome West Ham to the Theatre of Dreams.

 

You can watch all of the men's team's 43 goals at the Stretford End further up this page – let's hope there are many more to enjoy before this epic season is over.