Much like last season, it only took three weeks for Manchester United to piss me off again. I hate to admit it, but the Premier League brings out the monster inside of me. It’s hard to believe I’m here already, but I also thought similarly last season. I now find myself even questioning my own belief system around this team and their qualities. Should I even be mad United played absolutely lifeless against Wolves at home, or shit the bed against Spurs away? I have no clue which way is right anymore, and I’m in desperate need of guidance.
The Positives About this Season
I’m going to try my best to be positive for this section. I just want you all to know how hard it is to be positive, but you, the fans, deserve it. First things first, I’d run through a brick wall for Andre Onana. His demeanor and disposition to the game is remarkable. His confidence isn’t mistaken for nonchalance, his distribution is remarkable. In all reality, the drop-off in his reflexes and diving ability is more than made up for his composure and passing range.
Next, I think there are internationals all over the pitch. The only starters that aren’t internationals to my knowledge are Wan-Bissaka (our best right back), Garnacho (a prospect), and Onana (retired?). I only mention that because this means United’s starters are capable and talented football players. Why they can’t put it together on the pitch is for a different section in this blog. By the very definition of being an international player, you can consider them World-Class. That’s gotta mean something, right? Right?!
Questionable Wingers
A lot of questions are in this squad, and they all pertain to the midfield and attack. Ten Hag seemingly has yet to figure out who is actually good in this squad. It’s quite remarkable, but he never seems to land on a proven formula. Whenever I as a fan seem to predict what would work best for an XI, he does his own thing and I feel somewhat vindicated when it doesn’t work. I digress, but he has a clear system he wants to play, but are the players we have up to Premier League quality in his tactics?
Antony for me is question #1. Ten Hag rides him like he’s un-droppable, but is he really? An $80 million fidget spinner is a bit harsh, but I’m also not convinced he’s significantly better than that. Does Antony have that Brazilian dawg in him, or is he just a South American with a Napoleon complex? Will Antony have 12+ goal contributions in the Prem this season? I’m not writing him off, but I’m also not not writing him off.
Jadon Sancho is the next conundrum. Before I get too far, I want to dox myself as a Sancho apologist. That being said, Sancho’s time at United has been nothing but extremely frustrating. I’m not sure any manager has necessarily put him in the best position to succeed, but the clock is ticking on his usefulness. The Premier League has made a clear switch to inverted wingers, and I just don’t think that suits Sancho’s attributes. He is not a good finisher, and he lacks top line speed to blow by defenders. I tend to believe he’s much more dangerous on the right than any other position he’s played, but can he uproot Antony? Can Sancho return to his Dortmund levels and get 10+ assists in the Prem?
Questionable Midfield
As we move into the midfield, I think everyone’s biggest question is Money Mount. His first two starts certainly left something to be desired, and now he is out until after the international break with an injury. Mason Mount is the focal piece I think that Ten Hag envisioned would link it all together, but he seems off it. Like many others, I thought Mount was a fraud at Chelsea, so it’s taking everything in my body to convince myself he’s actually the best English midfielder ever. Can Mount be that maestro who can break up play and initiate breaks with his play-making? I feel like in a perfect system, he could be a 10+ goal contributor, but is this the perfect system and role for him? Your guess is as good as mine.
My last question is Kobbie Mainoo. He was balling out in preseason, but I think anyone recognizes there’s a significant difference in quality. I don’t expect him to start much, but even so, can he continue to show the promise of anchoring the midfield against more talented, more athletic competition? Will a 31 year old Casemiro have to play 50 games a season with no solid backup?
Laughable Strikers
Time to unload the proverbial clip, and unfortunately, its mostly directed at Ten Hag. Preseason was a lot, but his tactics to start the season has been less than desirable. Last year I feel like he got a pass early on because the team didn’t know what he expected, but that doesn’t work this time around. There is a small reluctance to put players in a position to succeed. Pep doesn’t put Haaland on the wing because that wouldn’t put his team, or Haaland, in the best position to succeed. We finally saw Rashford on the left against Forrest this season and he had an assist and drew a penalty. Sometimes, you just have to Keep It Simple, Stupid. Rashford isn’t a 9, so don’t play him there.
The next issue I’ll address is Manchester United’s lack of a usable striker yet again. Tony Martial’s hamstrings are one sprint away from falling clean off his femur. Marcus Rashford looks like a 6 year old whose best friend just moved to another state. Rasmus Holjund is a 20 year old with a broken back. If you made it through those last 3 sentences without an incredulous chuckle, you are a better fan than I. Striker has been and will continue to be a huge hole for this team. An unproven 20 year old sounds much more like a tape-job than a structural replacement.
Maybe I’m Over-Exaggerating
Just kidding, I’m definitely not. A year later and it feels like the more things change, the more they actually stay the same. Conceding slippy goals, Injuries plaguing the first team, and lack of quality depth all persist. Perhaps the most egregious flaw is our lack of finishing. Stop me if you hear this before, but United have a terrible Goal Difference. Although United are only 3 games in, 2 wins, a loss away from home, and a zero goal difference is much more of the same we saw from last year. I can’t help but admit Manchester United are pissing me off again this year.
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