Manchester United continue to have problems both on and off the pitch
Erik Ten Hag’s first season at Man United was a success with finishing in the top four of the Premier League and winning the EFL Cup. The Summer Transfer Window was a disaster and they were forced to sign three players on Deadline Day. Ten Hag decided to let 2022/2023 Premier League Golden Glove winner David De Gea leave Old Trafford and replaced him with Andre Onana. 2023/2024 Premier League has been disappointing for Man United with losing to Bournemouth, Man City, Brighton and Crystal Palace all at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford has only scored two goals in 2023/2024 Premier League. It’s incredible that both Anthony Martial and Donny Van De Beak are still at the club.
Man United were drawn with Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Bayern Munich in 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League group stage. Man United got off to a terrible start with losing away to Bayern Munich and at home to Galatasaray. Onana made massive mistakes in this years Champions League as he conceded 15 goals in six games. Man United’s Champions League group stage campaign ended with a home defeat against Bayern Munich. An embarrassment that both Copenhagen and Galatasaray finished ahead of Man United in the Champions League group stages.
Man United faced an ultimate task as they headed to Anfield without their captain Bruno Fernandes and multiple senior players. Raphael Verane was outstanding as Man United achieved a remarkable clean sheet against Liverpool. Hopefully this is the start of positive results but it only takes another bad defeat and Man United are back to the drawing board. Man United finish the year with two away fixtures against West Ham & Nottingham Forest and welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford.
It looks like Jadon Sancho’s time at Old Trafford is coming to an end. Jim Ratcliffe is in the process of buying 25% of Man United but it’s taking a long time to go through. Man United need several successful Transfer Window’s to be more competitive in both the Premier and Champions League. Rasmus Hojlund has potential but is not clinical in front of goal which was most noticeable at Anfield.
Man United don’t have much to play for in the second half of the season with been knocked out of the Champions League, EFL Cup and six points off fourth placed Manchester City. Man United need to sign a striker in the January Transfer Window as they are struggling to score goals. It would be fantastic if Man United could repeat their defensive performance against Liverpool for the remainder of the season. It would be an unbelievable achievement if Man United were able to finish fourth this season. Kobbie Mainoo has been remarkable since making his Premier League debut against Everton and it would be great if he played regularly until the end of the season. Ten Hag deserves to be in charge until the end of the season but needs more effort from his players.