Manchester United Had a positive first season under manager Erik ten Haag. It was meant to be the foundation for the Dutchman to lead his team to bigger and better things, but four months into this campaign, the mood around Old Trafford is darkening and Ten Hague are under pressure.
A third place finish Premier Leaguewinner Carabao Cup And a reach The FA Cup The final felt like a decent staging post for United to kick under the former. Ajax Coach, but so far, it has not happened.
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We look at the main reasons why, and whether they are much worse than they were at the same stage last season.
The striker’s dilemma
United finished third last season, but were the lowest scorers in the top six with 58 goals in 38 matches. They were also second for “big chance misses” with 71 and there was an expectation among supporters that the club would bring in an elite striker to help solve the problem.
The club made no secret that signing the number 9 was their priority before the new season, but in a transfer window why harry were available, United instead signed the highly-rated — albeit unproven — youngster Rasmus Hjlund.
Hojlund, 20, netted five times Champions League, but is yet to score a goal in the Premier League and although he could develop into a top-tier striker in time, he is not quite there yet. For their part, United insist that signing Kane was never a realistic option because of the numbers (transfer fees, wages) involved and also TottenhamReluctance to sign a deal with a Premier League rival. It means for the second season in a row, they are struggling for goals.
After 14 league games, United have scored 16 goals, the lowest return of any team in the top 10. It’s more than just one. Everton And BurnleyThose are in relegation places.
What’s up with Marcus Rashford?
The problem with Højlund is connected Marcus Rashfordform of Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, but has scored just two this season – one of which was a penalty against Everton. Bruno Fernandes England forward to take.
If Rashford scored regularly it would ease the pressure on Hjlund, but he looked a shadow of the player he was last season and was regularly replaced by Ten Haag when United were desperate for goals. He was substituted after 61 minutes Newcastle Even this past weekend when his side trailed 1-0.
– Ogden: What’s up with Rashford?
Rashford wants to play on the left of a front three, but has had to make compromises this season, either starting at centre-forward if Hjlund is injured in August or working for a place on the right. Alejandro GarnachoOn the other hand its form.
The danger with Ten Haag is that Rashford sometimes finds it difficult to pull himself out of a goal-scoring slump. He managed just five in the 2021-22 season and United cannot afford another campaign of such low productivity on his part.
Injury problem
Ten Hague has tried not to make excuses here, but he has been dealing with a long injury list since the summer and against Newcastle, he injured seven first-team players (Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Mason Mt, Christian Eriksen, Johnny Evans, Tyrell Malaysia And gave us), plus Jadon Sanchowho has been out of the team since September due to disciplinary reasons.
In defense alone, injury problems this season have meant that Ten Hague have opted for eight different combinations at centre-back (Harry Maguire And Luke Shaw Newcastle had five different players at center of defense and at left-back for the first time (Shaw, Sergio Reguilon, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof And Sofian Amarbat) Ten Hag has spent almost £400m on new players since taking over as manager in the summer of 2022, but he will likely claim that fans have legitimate concerns about recruitment as his first-choice XI has never been available this season.
There is also a question mark over whether the long list of injuries is simply down to bad luck, or whether there is a link between regular muscle injuries and Ten Haag’s preference for intense training sessions rather than extra rest and recovery in a busy fixture schedule.
Burley: Another embarrassing performance for Man United
Craig Burley joined Manchester United after a 1-0 Premier League loss to Newcastle United.
Is United worse than last season?
United’s Premier League record after 14 matches is the same as their record at the same stage last season. So far in the league in 2023-24, they have played 14 matches, won eight, lost six, scored 16, lost 17 and have 24 points. After 14 games last season, they won eight, lost four, scored 20, lost 20 and had 26 points.
Neither is great, but the biggest difference between this season and last is in Europe.
United’s patchy league form was boosted by a smooth Europa League Group campaign as they won five of their six games and scored 10 goals. But the Champions League hasn’t fared too badly this season, winning just one of five games and conceding 14 goals, including 11 in their three away games.
There has also been a lack of mood-lifting statement wins. Beat United by this point last season Liverpool, Arsenaland Tottenham but this season they have played five of the current top ten (Arsenal, City of ManchesterTottenham, Newcastle and Brighton) and lost them all.
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