Beyond The Score

Six goals conceded, two losses, plus an abysmal transfer window, already the writing is on the walls for a catastrophe season at Manchester United. Yet, early on there was slight optimism as the appointment of Erik Tan Hag bred a fresh start. For brief spells, pre-season seemed flashy, even if a victory against a second-string Liverpool side saw a humungous overreaction.

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Matchday One and the red devils crashed down to earth as a Brighton side lacking star assets Cucurella and Bissouma brushed them aside with relative ease. It proved that the days of parking the bus against this United side are long gone. Taking the game to them is the effective route as their defence leaks from all angles. The visible problems were only exposed even more so at Brentford as four goals conceded in thirty-five minutes meant the game was a bogey before halftime. In previous years the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal have been laughing stocks and often branded “bottle merchants.” During that period though, there was an identity, plan, and all the buzz words if you like. In contrast, even a distinctly average Southampton side would fancy their chances at Old Trafford. None got as low as this Manchester United side, who have no grasp of the basics and are performing as one of the worst sides in the league at the moment. 

The key to beating Manchester United is outrunning and pressing them. In all honesty, that is far from a strenuous job and yesterday proved that. While Manchester United managed 46 presses in the 90 minutes, Brentford managed 71. Part of this is due to the lack of fear teams have against United. When sides play Manchester City and Liverpool they often employ the park-the-bus tactic and hope for the best. With Manchester United, however, that fear factor is a thing of the past. Brentford is one of the few who go all guns blazing no matter the opponent, never mind this United side. Yesterday was always going to be a tough trip for Ten Hag’s men. 

Besides, they had done their homework and watched Brighton’s two-one victory. They didn’t give a slow and sloppy defence which included the lackluster English internationals Maguire and Shaw any breathing space with Toney and Ambient constantly pestering. The second goal proved this as United tried to play through a press they couldn’t match and were left to look on in despair. 

In a way, David De Gea epitomised the performance of Manchester United: brainless and error-strewn. There were solid saves in the latter stages nevertheless, the damage was already inflicted. An opening goal that saw De Gea let the ball slip through his fingers summed up the day, with the second goal being just diabolical. A hospital pass to Christian Eriksen had no other possible outcome than lost possession in the penalty box. The attempted pattern was that Eriksen would pass to Dallot and then United progress up the park as a unit. United are far from a unit and more like eleven individual fractions scrambling for direction. However, from the minute De Gea received the ball the only plausible option was a clearance. Although, the Spaniard fell right into an obvious trap.

A third goal saw a lack of any basic intelligence from Manchester United. Is it any surprise that handing Lisandro Martinez the task of marking Ben Mee would end in an easy-headed goal? To rub salt into the wounds a fourth goal only needed two passes from one penalty box to another to complete as an incompetent defense was destroyed by an energy-sapping forward line. 

A man-for-man system could have been risky for the home side in recent years but in reality, it was a master plan. Frank’s men were more energised and possessed far more comfort in possession. Despite a squad costing pennies in comparison to the Old Trafford giants, man for man they were no match. David Raya, between the sticks for the bees, was only forced to make four saves all night. Perhaps, bringing a book to keep himself entertained would have been a good idea.

Ten Haag is trying to implement an attractive style of football, that you can give him credit for. He set up with a 4-2-3-1 out of possession, and a 4-3-3 in it. With Brentford’s unforgiving pressing, a major emphasis was placed on the number 6 in midfield being solid on the ball and starting attacks. Possession was gifted carelessly away for fun. Fred, Mctomminay and Eriksen failed to make a key pass all match and lost possession a staggering twenty-seven times. Unnecessary pressure was invited on as a result.

So, is it a case of Ten Haag trying to run before he can walk? When Jurgen Klopp walked into a Liverpool side which was a sign of disarray, you didn’t see the German trying to play an offside trap on the halfway line with Skrtel and Sakho.  Neither did you see Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno effectively playing as wingers leaving that centre-back pairing exposed to sweep up the rubbish. The point being, that it may be smarter to lay down the foundations first-hand and then build from that. Otherwise, you see a situation similar to that Saturday night horror show. No need to park the bus, but show a bit of defensive competence. With Liverpool up next week it could be another dark day for Manchester United as they look to beat Liverpool in the league at Old Trafford for the first time in five seasons. Does anyone give them a realistic chance?

The problems are from head to toe at Manchester United. As Gary Neville would tell you, the Glazer family is clueless about running a football business. A crumbling stadium, a dejected squad and a disarrayed fanbase. The work is laid out plainly. Accountability is less so. The reality is Manchester United isn’t a team capable of attracting world-class talent anymore.  

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They are at a crossroads. Similar to where Arsenal was at the beginning of Arteta’s tenure. Deadweight must be offloaded with modest talent brought in to build on. There are cheaper options in world football than their current squad, which are as good if not better. Take a look at Wan-Bisakka. Is Lamptey or Walker-Pieters any worse? It could be argued they are better than the fifty-million pounds paid for the former Crystal Palace man. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw? What about James Justin and Mason Holgate? Take the ego out of it, about how these aren’t “United quality” signings, because the truth is Ten Hag’s men don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing anymore. 

Drained players were on our screens on Saturday. That doesn’t act as an excuse to concede four in thirty-five minutes though. Some effort and pride would have avoided such a catastrophe. It’s a long road ahead for the United faithful with no guarantee of light at the end of the tunnel in terms of trophies. Once one of the biggest clubs in world football is in danger of becoming a sleeping giant. Their days as a football powerhouse are slowly evaporating. Don’t sort it out soon? They may never return.