Only four games have been played in the current Premier League season, and Man United’s troubles are already getting worse.

Only four games until the new season, and things at Manchester United are already looking a little bleak.

The fact that they are coming off a demoralizing loss to Arsenal as they enter the international break, as well as the off-field distractions of claims against Antony, ongoing takeover uncertainty, and Erik ten Hag pulling the trigger on the Jadon Sancho grenade, do not help.

The excitement that preceded the club’s summertime operations is quickly fading. When club football resumes, though, a winning streak could undoubtedly change the atmosphere.

The harsh reality is that winning games makes everything a lot easier, therefore United have good cause to be optimistic about a speedy turnaround. It would sound a little happy-clappy to take such an approach.

United’s Sancho successor might be unlocked with the aid of Marcelo Bielsa.

Given their efforts against Wolves and Nottingham Forest, United can’t complain about where they stand in the Premier League after four games, and they might even consider themselves fortunate to have two victories.

These first games taught us that United hasn’t scored enough goals and has already given up more goals than both Arsenal and Manchester City put together. Although it may seem excruciatingly simple and simplified, it is true.

The largest concern is the defensive issues because there doesn’t seem to be a simple solution. With 7 goals allowed and an expected goals against of 7.13, United is losing as many goals as one might anticipate given the opportunities that have been presented to the opposition.

Raphael Varane is still on the sidelines, and Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof also had scares during the loss to Arsenal, so it might be some time before that is handled.

There isn’t a real magic wand solution that would immediately solve such problems, but Ten Hag will hope that Sofyan Amrabat’s arrival on deadline day will give them additional protection in midfield.

However, one might be under attack.

Rasmus Hojlund’s performance off the bench, where he created significant issues with his aggressiveness and general presence in the final third, was the only bright spot in the Arsenal defeat.

Hojlund struggled to create solid chances for himself, but he succeeded in doing so for his teammates with strong hold-up play against the opposing defense, including a lovely flick in the lead-up to Alejandro Garnacho’s goal that was disallowed.

The 20-year-old’s inclusion in the lineup could make United’s wide players even more lethal because they will have someone to link up with and more room to run into as a result of his hold-up duties. He will also give United a more genuine scoring threat.

Additionally, his actual scoring prowess shouldn’t be disregarded. Hojlund has all the makings of a top striker, even if he isn’t quite there yet. This season, he should have no shortage of opportunities to score goals.

United has only scored five goals in its first four games despite creating 12 “big chances” and having an expected goals total of 8.41.

Hojlund has more to contribute down the middle than anyone else at the club, so you’d expect to see a substantial improvement in those numbers as soon as he becomes settled in the lineup, even if he isn’t quite there yet.

Although it is obvious that United’s issues go much deeper than their failure to score goals, it cannot be denied that a resolution to that problem would undoubtedly improve the atmosphere at the team.

Rasmus Hojlund may be the solution that United is desperately looking for.