Manchester United's Troubling Defeat: Liverpool's Dominance Exposes Major Flaws
The early days of the new football season have not been kind to Manchester United, as they face mounting scrutiny just 16 days in. Erik ten Hag's latest venture with Ineos was put to the test in a crushing 3-0 defeat against Liverpool, a result that could have been even more humiliating.
Manchester United’s woes were apparent from the start. The team's performance was marked by significant failures across the board. Casemiro, once a stalwart of the midfield, was instrumental in both of Liverpool’s first-half goals, leading to his substitution at halftime. This move was less a tactical adjustment and more a desperate measure to rectify a glaring issue. The introduction of Toby Collyer, a 20-year-old making his Premier League debut, highlighted the inadequacies in United’s squad planning. It’s alarming that the team entered this high-stakes clash with only one experienced holding midfielder available, despite having all summer to address this glaring gap.
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The timing of Manuel Ugarte’s £42 million signing, intended to replace Casemiro, has raised eyebrows. Ugarte’s delayed arrival meant he couldn’t be cleared in time for this fixture, leaving a critical void in the midfield. This oversight underscores a lack of foresight and preparation from the management, especially given Casemiro’s declining form. During pre-season, Casemiro’s frantic, last-ditch tackles suggested an underlying problem, which unfortunately materialized in this match as his errors directly contributed to Liverpool’s goals.
Beyond Casemiro, Manchester United's struggles were evident throughout the pitch. Joshua Zirkzee, making his first start, missed clear chances and struggled with his touch. André Onana’s erratic distribution of high balls added to the defensive instability. The ineffective performances of Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes compounded the issues. But perhaps the most glaring concern was Marcus Rashford. The forward, who was expected to lead the line, extended his goalless streak to 12 matches across club and country. His performance was lackluster, marked by a lack of impact and creativity, which is troubling for a player of his caliber.
Rashford’s form is particularly concerning given his previous record. With a salary exceeding £350,000 a week, he is expected to deliver goals and decisive performances. However, after failing to score in the last nine games of the previous season and a similar drought extending into the current one, his struggles are baffling. The fact that he watched United’s Under-18s secure a 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday might suggest a desire to improve, but the results on the pitch remain disappointing.
As Manchester United looks ahead to their next fixture against Southampton, Ten Hag faces a mounting challenge. The team’s current form suggests a repeat of last season’s inconsistency, with the hope of improvement overshadowed by ongoing issues. The season is still young, but the pressure is already building, and Manchester United must address these critical problems if they are to turn their fortunes around.
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