What did we learn from Man Utd’s win over Forest?
Quite a lot actually
There are still several issues that need sorting out. The win, especially in that fashion, can sort of paper over the cracks but we did look much improved compared to our first two outings.
1. Mentality
Much improved overall with the likes of Bruno, Antony and eventually Casemiro showing some mental fortitude, something I feel they all lacked against Wolves and Spurs. They have added to Varane, Wan-Bissaka and Onana who have had a great mentality all season.
But it’s obvious that we aren’t fully there yet mentally when looking at our start.
Why we have to start off slow and then come into the game is a problem. That is poor mentality as it seems that the players lack that concentration from the get go, aren’t switched on or are just lacking that energy we’ve complained about so far this campaign.
Or maybe they just don’t take the opposition as seriously as they should?
Erik ten Hag did say that we had the best fitness levels in game week one compared to all other teams. But it seemed quite the opposite so far. At least there was an improvement yesterday.
Some of the players were too weak or afraid to go into challenges and having to carry players like that is not advised. Every player needs to be giving 100% all game otherwise you will get punished.
Conceding 2 goals in 4 minutes at home to Nottingham Forest shows a lack of everything actually. Doing that is asking for trouble.
However, to show the resilience and character to come back is great although we would prefer not having to go down 2–0 for it to come out.
2. Defense is Suspect
I’m not totally convinced with this new defense yet. By new, I mean Onana and ten Hag wanting his full-backs to be inverted. Also having a new goalkeeper who likes to sweep means that the entire defense has to play higher up.
This is not something that they’ve been used to as most of last season, the defense was a lot closer together.
The ironic thing is that our best players across all three games has been Onana, Varane and AWB, three defenders.
There is a lot of getting used to at the back which was our best area of our team last season. They were very compact and together whereas now, they seem just the opposite.
Our back four is easily got at and gives oppositions ample chances of scoring. Other than a couple of games last season, our defense was relatively strong.
They appear to be a little disjointed and don’t have that same energy in that they used to celebrate their defensive work like they scored last minute winners.
That defensive bond is missing. The good news is that this was only game three meaning that there is enough time to get that form back.
3. Style of Play
I must admit that I’m still a little confused with what our style of play actually is. And if I’m honest, I think it’s the same for some of the players.
I know that ten Hag is wanting to implement a new style which will take time but we don’t seem to be coming to grips with it, especially at the back.
This is why I say that the defense appears a bit suspect.
The full-backs having to tuck in next to the holding midfielder, push forward a lot and still defend on top of it all is asking for a lot.
Our centre-backs are quite high up the pitch with a sweeper keeper behind them. Again, this is something that needs getting used to because most of last season, we did sit quite deep and close to the goalkeeper. We had a compact defense with de Gea hardly ever coming out of his goal.
Up front, we still seem to lack ideas or don’t take our chances. This was one game though where things were better. Both AWB and Dalot were involved in several attacks, Antony and Rashford weren’t selfish and crossed the ball and we did score 3 goals, which is an improvement.
I’m all for trying new things and do want to see a better way of playing but it is a risk. Looking at how we’ve played so far, risks aren’t necessarily something we want to take.
4. Better Balance
This was our best lineup that Erik could’ve put out and was our best out of these three games. The simple reason for me was because it was better balanced.
Square pegs in square holes, if you will.
The first two matches saw a lot of complaints from everyone that we had too many players out of position. This caused us to look lackluster in those areas resulting in a lot of frustration.
ten Hag reverted back to type against Forest mainly because he had to. Martial being available meant he had an actual striker which pushed Rashford to his preferred LW; Bruno was the only CAM and didn’t have Mount right next to him; Eriksen coming in for Mount worked a lot better providing that balance in midfield.
The performance wasn’t anything spectacular but compared to the first two matches, this one was one our greatest performances in our history.
I know that Erik wants to progress and develop our style of play but at the moment, it hasn’t worked. Sticking the correct players in their correct positions as well as doing the simple things has.
Maybe that is something he may need to try doing more going forward.
5. Have to be more clinical
The attack does need to be more clinical though as we created 15 chances with 9 shots on target. We only scored 3 but probably should’ve had at least 2 more when looking at Casemiro and Bruno’s misses.
Against Spurs, it was 19 chances created with only 6 shots on target out of 22. Even against Wolves, we had a total of 15 shots but only 3 on target.
We seem to be creating decent chances but fail to take them. This was an issue that developed over the course of last season and hasn’t really improved. We should’ve scored 72 goals in 22/23 but only scored 58 which was one of the lowest in the top half.
In our three games this season, we have an xG (expected goals) of 7.44 which is actually 3.44 higher than what we currently have as we’ve only scored the 4 goals.
In Bruno Fernandes, we have the most creative player thus far this season. In three games, Bruno has an xA (expected assists) of 2.16 which is by far the highest at this stage. That is 1.16 more than his current assist total of 1, which he got yesterday.
6. Need more signings
Varane looks to have gotten injured. At this moment, we still don’t know what the injury is not how long he’ll be out for. We can see why Erik was looking for another defender and why he is open to letting Jonny Evans sign a year contract.
Varane out, Lindelof in maybe fine but if Martinez gets injured/suspended, we’re back to Magelof. AKA, we’re fucked.
When looking at how suspect we’ve been in defense with our best CB options, imagine what we’ll be like with our worst 😐.
But that same thought can go for the rest of the team. With Hojlund missing these three games and Martial not being fit enough, we have no striker. Erik pushes Rashford as number 9 which takes away his best attributes and leaves us lacking up front.
Casemiro also went down with an injury towards the end of the match. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious but if he does get injured, that will be the end for us. Yes, he may not be at his best right now but having a sluggish Casemiro is waaaayyyy better than having no Casemiro. If he is out, we have no replacement because we have no backup CDM. With Mount’s injury, we’re already threadbare in that area of the pitch.
McTominay is the only other option 🙃.
While it won’t quite be McFred and Magelof back, potentially having three out of those four ain’t exactly great either.
The club have to go into the transfer market and get in some players. The midfield, attack and centre-back spots are where recruitment is needed most. Not having backup options in those areas will mean our season ends quicker than it began.
SIGN SOME FUCKING PLAYERS!
Final Thoughts
It was a much improved performance mainly because we had to after going 2 down in 4 minutes and it’s not as if we set a high bar after the opening two matches. But we needed to show something and this was a game where I feel there were more positives to take than negatives.
It is a performance that gives the manager some encouragement and something to work on moving forward.
However, we have to be much better for next week’s trip to The Emirates. Start off like that and it will be over even if they score 2 in four minutes.
#MUNNFO #PL #ERIKTENHAG #MUFC #GGMU #GLAZERSOUT
