This Is Not A Drill

The word “crisis” is far too often used in football. Whilst this isn’t the case yet, these are worrying times for my beloved United. If you look at the stats, they make for grim reading. Three defeats in the last four, six in the first ten games, consecutive defeats in the Champions League group stages. It does not look good. As I’ve always said, I call it as I see it. So, for this week’s post, let’s address some of United’s main issues and what they can do to turn their season around.

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The Issues

It’s All About Balance

The most alarming issue at the minute is the lack of balance in the team, particularly in the midfield. It seems strange that just last season, the midfield of Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes were pivotal in where we finished. However, this year it’s completely off. When fit, Mount & Fernandes are playing so high up which leaves Casemiro isolated with no protection. Teams have repeatedly been able to slice through United’s midfield at will and penetrate their defence. The attack has been too predictable and static; the plan almost seems to be, get the ball to Rashford, and hope he does something. Even the defence seems unbalanced, with players consistently playing out of position (e.g., Dalot at left-back or even Amrabat as a hybrid full-back). The whole team is a mess, plain and simple.

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Mistakes, Mistakes, Mistakes

You can legislate when a player makes a mistake, fair enough. But too many times already, United players have had howlers. Onana, who Ten Hag insisted on being United’s no.1, has already made a few high-profile mistakes. The challenge in the box against Wolves that went unpunished; flapping at Leroy Sane’s shot against Bayern, the misplaced pass against Galatasaray that cost us the game. I might be picking on him a bit, but he’s not the only one. As bad as the defence has been, they must feel unnerved when you have a keeper like Onana behind you. Even the forwards have made key mistakes (Rashford not burying that chance against Galatasaray as well). When a team is riddled with mistakes, how can you expect them to do well? It also doesn’t help that the manager is trying to get them to play a certain way which at this moment they are not capable of (more on that a little later).

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Take A Look in the Mirror

I was praising Ten Hag last season for the job he did, but he needs to look in the mirror and hold his hand up and admit what he’s trying to get his players to do is not working. Take for example playing out of the back. This style of football requires a goalkeeper who’s comfortable on the ball and good under pressure. It requires defenders to be able to receive the ball well under pressure and it requires midfielders to be able to take the ball in tight spaces and advanced the attack. Onana regularly looks like he’s due to make a misplaced pass. Aside from Martinez maybe, I wouldn’t describe any of the centre-backs we have as ball playing defenders. Even the likes of Casemiro and Mount, both who are very good on the ball, often have had their pocket pinched by opposing midfielders. Ten Hag has been stubborn in some of his decision-making, and it’s getting in the way of United winning games.

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The Solutions

Strength In Numbers

I will never use injuries as an excuse, as all teams experience them. It’s a part of the game. However, once United get close to a fully-fit squad, I expect the team to improve. Already within the first few weeks of the season, we’ve been without the likes of Martinez, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Mount, Antony etc for spells. Now, I’m not saying that once everyone is fit, United are suddenly going to start surging up the table. But as I alluded to early, United have had to field make-shift teams, playing players out of position which has been a detriment to their performances. I still fully believe that our starting XI is decent, more than good enough to get into the Champions League. If that team can have a sustained run of games together, then the hope would be that United can slowly but surely improve.

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Shock the System

Provided that the players are available, Ten Hag needs to (at least temporarily) change the system and maybe look to go to three/five at the back. The amount of goals United have already conceded this season is outrageous and it seems only right that Ten Hag looks to shore up the defence. If that means the attack suffers a little bit, then so be, if it means that for a stretch of games, United are way more solid than they’ve been thus far. Alternatively, in the midfield, United play two 6s just so that Casemiro has enough cover. Again, this would provide more stability in the midfield and stop teams being able to bypass the midfield like it isn’t even there.

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The Cream Needs to Rise to the Top

Certain players haven’t hit the same levels as last season. I’m looking at Rashford, Fernandes and Casemiro specifically. Rashford’s levels have dropped significantly. He’s only got one goal to his name in all competitions and looks shot of confidence at the minute. Fernandes similarly has started the season poorly, and his persistent moaning isn’t helping matters either. Casemiro looks completely discombobulated at times in the midfield and has been prone to getting exposed in the middle of the park. The fortunes of United are directly affected by the performances of these three players. If they don’t play well, it’s unlikely United win many games. If they play at their usual levels, United are a vastly improved team. Ten Hag needs to get these three back to their best, and quickly.

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This Week’s Hot Take

As bad as the situation is right now, it’s not worse than the last days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I remember at that time thinking there was absolutely no hope as the fans had turned on the manager & the players had downed tools. I don’t think either is the case in this present situation. Sure, it could get even worse, but I believe (maybe against my better judgement) that there will be some sort of a turnaround in the weeks to come.