Manchester United have endured some frustrating times in front of goal this season, but it’s not for lack of trying.
The Red Devils have peppered opponents with shots during their home games this season, only to be held by Burnley, Bournemouth and Hull City, among others.
Indeed, in those three games, José Mourinho’s team produced 24 shots on target and scored just once. When you add in the 1-1 draws at home to Stoke City and West Ham United, that’s 3 goals from 41 shots on target across 450 minutes of football.
Perhaps United could take a leaf out of the book of one of Mourinho’s former clubs, Internazionale.
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The Milanese club are – like United – just outside the Champions League spots in their domestic league.
But they moved closer to third-placed Roma with a crushing victory over Atalanta that represented a masterclass in taking your chances.
Mauro Icardi and Ever Banega – both one-time United targets, as it happens – scored hat-tricks in a 7-1 victory for Stefano Pioli’s men.
But the best part? The seven goals came from Inter’s first seven shots on target, and they ended the game with just 11 shots in total.
Spare a thought for Atalanta keeper Etrit Berisha, who was booked for conceding the penalty which Icardi converted midway through the first half as part of a remarkable nine-minute hat-trick.
Inter go fourth after the victory, leapfrogging Atalanta in the process, meaning they are now on course for a return to the Europa League at the very least.
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