Man Utd news: Lack of goals the real problem at Old Trafford

“It’s in the past. It’s over.”

Those were the words of Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim after his sides’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa brought the curtain down on a difficult campaign at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese addressed those that remained inside the Theatre of Dreams after the full-time whistle, issuing an apology on behalf of himself and the squad.

“I want to apologise for this season. I know you are really disappointed with me and the team,” said Amorim.

“After this disastrous season, I want to tell you the good days are coming.”

But with a record 18 Premier League defeats and a lowest ever Premier League finish, what went wrong this season?

It’s easy to look all around the pitch and at the system played by Amorim, when it comes to analysing United’s shortcomings.

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both made mistakes this season – the latter getting away with one in the final game – and the ability of the wing-backs and central midfielders has been called in to question, while Amorim refused to budge on his tactics.

Despite lapses in concentration, they kept 10 clean sheets and conceded 54 goals this season – only 13 more than champions Liverpool, who doubled their points tally.

And it’s the lack of goals that caused the most problems.

According to Opta, United had a shot conversion rate of just 12.3% this season – only Southampton’s was lower – as they were outscored by all but four teams in the Premier League.

Their captain Bruno Fernandes topped the charts for chances created, with 91 across the season.

Despite this, no player for United reached double figures for goals in the league, with Fernandes and Amad the top scorers on just eight goals each – that’s after the Ivorian missed almost three months with an ankle injury.

Much of the pressure was on Rasmus Hojlund, but the Dane found the net just four times – and along with summer signing Joshua Zirkzee – failed to provide a goal threat at the top of the pitch.