Bastian: Reds Need Ruthless Mentality

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Manchester United lack “the killer instinct” in attack, but the German remains convinced his team-mates are capable of scoring goals on a regular basis.

Louis van Gaal’s men registered 21 shots at goal against West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday but were disappointingly held to a 0-0 draw for the fifth time in nine matches, a result that has left the Reds in fourth position in the Barclays Premier League and three points behind leaders Leicester City.

Schweinsteiger feels United deserved to beat the Hammers but concedes his colleagues missed too many important chances to score, particularly in the second half. When quizzed by reporters on the lack of goals, the Reds' newly-crowned Player of the Month suggested his team may be lacking a degree of confidence and self-belief in attack.

“It is a lot of things,” he said. “First of all you have to create the chance with the last pass. The guy who has the opportunity, they have to feel they want to score a goal and are going to score. It is a mix of everything. If you miss a chance you have to be unhappy. When you are a big striker like Ronaldo, Messi and Thomas Muller, they are all the same. It is about attitude. They want to score goals. They have quality but they want to score goals. You need the attitude that you want to score.

“Of course we have chances and we had the chances to win the match but we have to score. With luck or whatever, you have to score. The feeling that the players want to score, we need to have more of this. We are trying, we are creating and that is a good thing. We need a goal otherwise you cannot talk about winning a trophy because we should be winning at home to West Ham. It is a pity but we are still in the [title] race. We are not seventh, eighth or ninth. I hope we can improve.

“The players are not scared in front of goal, no. It is all about the killer instinct. We have players who have the abilities but we need it in every game. Every match is like this against West Ham. It is not as if every game is 4-0 at half time, so you have to score your goals. An early goal would be really good and would make a difference because when opponents play deep it is not easy.”

Attention now turns to Tuesday’s massive Champions League match against Wolfsburg, which United must win to guarantee progress from Group B. Schweinsteiger feels his team-mates do not need lifting for the fixture and the former Bayern Munich star is looking forward to the occasion.

“The motivation is there for Tuesday,” Bastian said. “It is a very important match for us and I know how difficult it is at Wolfsburg. They have won a lot of matches at home. It is not easy. We have to find the right tactic and I am sure the team will be ready for the big night.

“I remember we [Bayern] lost there once when Wolfsburg won 5-1, the year they won the Bundesliga. But we also won there 6-1. It is a mix of memories but they are very strong. I am looking forward to it. They will come at us more as they are at home. Maybe that will be better for us.”