REVEALED: One big reason why Manchester United have struggled to score this season

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It's not hard to figure out the missing link for Manchester United this season. The Red Devils' have been fighting what looks increasingly likely to be a losing battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, with their struggles in front of goal the standout reason they are currently trailing leaders Leicester City by 19 points with six games remaining. Louis van Gaal's side have scored just 39 goals in 32 games, with West Ham's 52 the next fewest of any team in the top six, but it's not as if United's strikers are flailing at a series of gilt-edged chances. In fact, the figures show that Van Gaal's side, hamstrung by their manager's possession-based philosophy, have created fewer scoring opportunities than every side in the Premier League bar one, the Tony Pulis-led West Brom. The numbers show United have had just 237 attempts on goal this season, ten fewer than relegation bound Aston Villa and nearly TWO HUNDRED shy of title-contending Tottenham on 413. With Tottenham taking roughly five more shots per game than United, it's no wonder fans at Old Trafford are tearing their hair out.