The season started so well for Manchester United, what with their fabulous 4-0 win over Chelsea during the opening weekend of the Premier League.

Yet even in that game things looked nervy to begin with as the Blues had the better chances before the Red Devils scored their opening goal. But United then blew away their opponents and it looked to be a good foundation to which they could build from!

Unfortunately for United fans it hasn’t worked out that way.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side threw away a lead to draw with Wolves in their next encounter. Things weren’t helped when Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford debated over who should take a penally, which the French midfielder missing that spot kick.

Then the Manchester giants couldn’t stop themselves losing to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. United couldn’t take their early chances and ended the first-half a goal down. Rashford then managed to match Pogba and miss his own penalty. New signing Daniel James thought he had saved his club a point with an eighty-ninth minute equaliser but Man Utd then contrived to lose another goal in injury time. That’s their first loss to Palace at home since 1989.

This afternoon, Man United dominated Southampton at St Mary’s in the first half and Daniel James scored another stunner that had his side leading the Saints. But then in the second half, Southampton out fought their opponents and scored an equaliser and even with ten men they survived to hold onto a point (BBC Match Report).

That means Man United have started this season with just five points from their opening four games and they lie in seventh place at the time of writing this blog post.

Some things have improved. They do look stronger at the back with Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in there but even with that they still concede silly goals.

Fellow new boy James has scored three times in those opening fixtures. He looks a real talent and one that isn’t scared of the red jersey he now wears. In fact he’s fast becoming an influential attacker within the squad.

While the three new signings have come in and added things that United needed, I don’t believe the club did enough during the summer transfer window.

While I can’t argue too much with the players that have left Old Trafford this summer, I don’t think the club have bolstered the squad enough to help Solskjaer.

For example no midfielders have been brought in.

Both Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini departed the club within the last two transfer windows, yet no new midfielders were brought in to challenge for places.

Against Southampton today, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira weren’t good enough in possession. Neither of them managed to reach 80% in their passing success stats. The young duo are still learning their trade and will have games like that.

Holding midfielder Nemanja Matic came off the bench today and he might be needed after the international break but in truth the Serbian seemed to be in decline last year and injuries are starting to creep in too.

We still haven’t seen Fred this term and that says to me that his manager doesn’t fancy or trust him.

In attack, United also seem to lack depth.

Romelu Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan and wasn’t replaced, while Alexis Sanchez also joined the Serie A side this week. You can question Lukaku’s fitness and whether or not he suited Ole’s style but you can’t deny he scored goals. In total the Belgian striker hit the net twenty-eight times in sixty-six Premier League appearances for United. If you sell him, then you need to replace him and his goals!

Anthony Martial was missing today due to a thigh injury (Source The Sun). That meant that Rashford was given the central striker’s role and he didn’t overly impress. The English international only had forty-one touches of the ball and he went deep and out wide too many times.

From the bench Solskjaer called upon an out of form Jesse Lingard and seventeen year old attacker Mason Greenwood. Young Greenwood did try and make an impact but it’s pretty telling that Ole had no other real options to bring on to try and wrestle out the win.

In attack Man United lack an experienced head. Someone who can come in and help those around him. It seems bizarre given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to fight with the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ruud Van Nistelrooy during his stint as a forward at United.

The team also struggle to see games out and have failed to dominate against supposed weaker opposition. That along with a lack of attacking options from the bench has seen Manchester United endure a poor start to the season.

The club seem to lack a winning strategy both on and off the park and the top four seems to be a tall ask at this stage!

Posted on August 31st, 2019 by scott
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