Unveiling Manchester United: A Subbuteo Spectacle and the Enigma of Mason Mount
Man Utd's struggles continue as Crystal Palace seals a 1-0 victory Paul Merson criticizes their static attacking play, highlighting Mason Mount's lost performance A frustrating outcome for Ten Hag's side What's next for Amrabat experiment at Man Utd?
Manchester United's attacking display in their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace drew a comparison from Paul Merson to watching Subbuteo. Despite recent victories against Burnley and Palace in the Carabao Cup, Erik ten Hag's team were unable to maintain their momentum as Joachim Andersen's goal in the first half dampened spirits for the United boss. With only nine points and a -4 goal difference, this marks Manchester United's worst start to a Premier League season after seven games.
While watching the game on Soccer Saturday, Merson observed that United's gameplay in the attacking zone lacked dynamism. According to him, it seems like watching a game of Subbuteo when observing Man Utd. From the beginning of the match until halftime, there is no movement as all players remain in their original positions.
"When you're in charge of major football clubs, the weight of expectation is always present, and it only intensifies when your rivals triumph. Had Man City emerged victorious today, the pressure would have significantly escalated... making it absolutely imperative for them to secure a top-four finish this season."
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Mason Mount shows his frustration following a missed Manchester United chance
Merson stated that when watching Manchester United play, there is no evident pattern of play. In contrast, teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester City implement distinct patterns in their gameplay. At Manchester United, the strategy is mainly to pass the ball wide and rely on Rashford's individual brilliance for goal-scoring opportunities.
Merson also mentioned that Amrabat was not effectively utilized on the left side. Although he eventually moved more centrally, he should have started in that position. It is crucial for Manchester United to exert dominance and play at a faster pace, instead of allowing opposing teams to settle into the game. Merson emphasizes the need for Manchester United to aggressively go after their opponents within the first 20 minutes, which is currently lacking.
The team's performance was underwhelming as they struggled to create many opportunities throughout the game.
Hojlund, being the lone striker, faced difficulty due to uncertainty regarding the wingers' decision to cross. Consequently, he received limited support and service. Mount, Casemiro, and Fernandes seemed lost, lacking a clear understanding of their positions and direction on the field.
Man Utd's current state is a major concern, as they continue to suffer defeats. They are significantly far from where they need to be.
Currently, I don't foresee any immediate improvement. It may reach a point where a change in formation becomes necessary. With a four-man defense in place, the manager might have to consider shifting to a three to introduce some variety.
Ten Hag: It's frustrating
In my observation, it appears that Mount and Fernandes are somewhat disoriented and uncertain about their direction. They are being outmaneuvered and constantly being bypassed. Although they are applying pressure on Palace, Johnstone did not have to make numerous saves.Erik ten Hag addressed us, stating, "Conceding three goals from set plays was a glaring weakness in our defense. We lack the confidence to effectively defend against such situations. Additionally, our decision-making in the final part of the game was subpar, resulting in a lack of quality. Overall, we did not perform at our best during the final phase of the match."
"Undoubtedly, it can be exasperating. We came within reach on numerous occasions, yet our execution and precision were lacking to pursue the ultimate objective.
"Each instance calls for its own approach - at times requiring composure, at other times demanding precision, occasionally necessitating directness, and occasionally necessitating an additional pass."
"We have to learn to do better in the final part of the game."
On the goal: "It wasn't necessary to make a foul there. Then the ball comes through the box, it's not good defending."
Analysis: Amrabat experiment malfunctions Man Utd
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Sofyan Amrabat made five fouls and was booked up against Jordan Ayew
Lewis Jones stated that dealing with problems is an essential quality for a Premier League football manager. Erik ten Hag faced the challenge of injuries to Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Sergio Reguilon. In an attempt to solve this problem, he opted for new signing Sofyan Amrabat in a hybrid role, similar to what he did during Manchester United's dominant first-half display in their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Crystal Palace team that faced Manchester United was completely different from the one that played on Tuesday. They showed bravery, physicality, and a great deal of energy in their Premier League comeback. As a result, Amrabat had to focus more on defensive duties, but he found himself struggling against the clever tactics of Jordan Ayew. Ayew proved to be a master at winning free kicks and relieving pressure from his defenders, causing Amrabat to commit five fouls and bringing his total fouls won this season to 25 – seven more than any other player.
Time and time again, Amrabat fell into Ayew's traps, leading to a yellow card for a cynical handball after Ayew skillfully evaded him. This was a forgettable performance in a forgettable season for Manchester United so far.
What's next?
Manchester United's upcoming fixture is a Champions League group stage encounter against Galatasaray, scheduled for Tuesday with kick-off at 8pm.Following their European clash, Manchester United will face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, October 7, with kick-off at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace face Nottingham Forest on Saturday October 7, live on We; kick-off 5.30pm.
