Opinion: United's other attackers can shine

Poking home Alejandro Garnacho's cross during the Manchester derby back in January, as well as his magnificent solo performance in the Nou Camp a month later, it's safe to say the England international has come up clutch when needed for the Reds this term.

But fast forward three months and it seems the squad will have to look elsewhere for goals as we approach a pivotal part of this season, with the confirmed news of our no.10's latest setback a blow, given the busy schedule ahead of us.

Fear not, though, with the opportunity now there for some of United's other attacking talents to really step up and prove their might, starting with our crucial Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla tonight (Thursday). Erik ten Hag now has something of a headache as to who he selects across the frontline of his side.

ANTHONY MARTIAL

With Martial fit again and back amongst the goals, it is worth noting the influence our no.9 has had when he has featured so far this term in all competitions.

Having found the net seven times in 17 appearances, Ten Hag has admitted on countless occasions that the Frenchman can be integral to our successes moving forward, and many supporters will hope we can see the best out of Anthony as we enter a crucial part of the campaign.

Netting against Everton at the weekend will have hopefully sparked some much-needed confidence into the striker, with the prospect of facing his former loan club Sevilla also a welcome opportunity for him to kick on and aid our hunt for further silverware.

"When he is in the team, I refer to games against Man City and Liverpool, when he is in the team we play our best football and we have the best results as a team," said Ten Hag in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "So yeah, if you [say] I defended him I am just pointing to the stats and I see how he contributes to this team."

JADON SANCHO

Sancho is a superb example of footballer who, on his day, can light up any stadia with his mind-blowing trickery and superb creative vision.

Having also missed large parts of our 2022/23 campaign, like Martial, our no.25 is firmly back in the fold and showed two extremely impressive displays against both Brentford and Everton last week.

Surely now the favourite to start over on the left side of our attack while Marcus steps up his return to full fitness, Jadon's skillset was apparent against the Toffees, leaving both Amadou Onana and Demarai Gray in his wake, with that attacking excitement something United fans will hope to see plenty more of as we enter the business end of our season.

Grabbing a vital assist for Scott McTominay's opener too, it is those kind of confident showings that can only serve the whole team well, with the former Dortmund man no doubt keen to build on his tally of five strikes heading into the final six weeks of the 2022/23 campaign.

ANTONY

There is no doubting the sheer amount of talent our Brazilian winger possesses and when it comes to needing big players in big moments, it safe to say the 23-year-old has delivered when called upon already in a United shirt.

Netting vital goals against Real Betis and Barcelona already in this season's Europa League, and causing Everton defender Ben Godfrey to be substituted at half-time of our 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday, Antony has demonstrated his talent for the Reds on numerous occasions.

Ten Hag has stated how he expects more from the Brazilian, but insisted his performances already this term cannot be understated: "He has to work on that of course [getting goals and assists] but he's a young player and I think when you see his record - you mentioned - he is not scoring in the Premier League but he did score against Betis really important goal straight after half-time and he did score against Barcelona [with] the winner.

"You can't say these are not big games."

WOUT WEGHORST
 
Wout's tireless work-rate and never-say-die attitude are just two features of his game that have helped United become so formidable this season, with it worth noting that Ten Hag's side have lost just three times when our no.27 has started from the off, in all competitions.

With influential midfielder Christian Eriksen now back in the fold after his lengthy injury lay-off, there is surely few better at finding Weghorst's runs, or threading the needle than the Denmark international.

All of United's attacking options will be hoping to chip in with their own contributions, as we endeavour to see more and more smiles and success at Old Trafford in the vital few weeks to come.