Are Man United the Premier League’s Most Attacking Team?

Manchester United thrashed Wolves 4-1 on Monday night to climb to sixth in the Premier League table after 15 rounds of fixtures.

That table will also show you that only Arsenal and Manchester City have scored more goals than United this season.

Most team goals in the Premier League this season (2025/26)

Man United are now averaging 1.73 goals per game in the Premier League this season. That is a significant increase on last season, when their average was just 1.57.

But that is only half the story. United are the most attacking team in the Premier League this season when it comes to shots recorded.

During Monday’s victory against a Wolves side on track to be the worst team in Premier League history, United fired in 27 shots — more than in any of their previous 57 top-flight matches under Ruben Amorim, who was a prime candidate to be sacked back in September.

United have now registered 241 Premier League shots this season — nine more than any other team.

Most team shots in the Premier League this season

Between them, Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo have been responsible for 33.20% of United’s 241 Premier League shots.

Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (57 shots) has fired goalwards more often than Fernandes (42), while Mbeumo sits fifth on the list of the league’s most prolific shot-makers.

Most player shots in the Premier League this season

Are Man United the most attacking team in the Premier League?

The fact that United shoot more often than any other Premier League team could suggest they are the most attacking side in the division, although that would perhaps be a simplistic conclusion.

Amorim deserves credit for getting his side to show far more attacking intent than they did last season.

However, it is worth noting that 78 of United’s 241 shots this season have come from outside the penalty area. That is 32.37%. By comparison, leading scorers Man City have attempted only 56 of their 216 shots (25.93%) from beyond the 18-yard box, while just 25.35% of Arsenal’s efforts have come from outside that zone.

Those stats suggest that United are more speculative than the league’s best sides, who tend to focus more on chance quality rather than volume.

What about expected goals?

United are second in the Premier League for attacking xG so far this season with 27.37. They are ahead of Arsenal (26.21) but behind Manchester City, who are emphatically outperforming their xG of 29.69.

While xG offers fascinating insight, it is based entirely on shots taken. For example, it does not record anything for crosses that are intercepted inside the six-yard box, even if they deny an almost certain goal.

Therefore, a shoot-on-sight policy naturally lends itself to a higher xG.

Highest attacking xG in the Premier League

If Man United are so good going forward, why are they not higher in the Premier League?

Monday’s win over Wolves propelled Man United up to sixth in the Premier League table, although they are six points below Man City in second and eight behind leaders Arsenal.

The reason the Red Devils are not higher is clear: they are significantly weaker than their rivals defensively.

United have conceded 21 goals in their first 15 games. Although that is not a monstrous amount, ten teams have better defensive records this season, while United have let in more goals than Arsenal and Crystal Palace combined.

Until United find a defensive balance to match their attacking ambition, they will remain a dangerous team — but not a dominant one.