We seem set to be dissecting What’s Wrong At United until the end of time. Here’s a cut-out-and-keep guide to how to do itScientists can’t quite agree on how long it will be until the Universe ends. The most trigger-happy astrophysicists have it at around 22bn years, but if we’re lucky it could keep chugging away for 200bn. Earth has slightly less time – becoming a burnt-out lifeless rock in about 5bn, after the sun runs out of fuel and enters what’s known as its “Red Giant phase”.Which brings us to Manchester United – who appeared to run out of fuel in 2013. As a gaunt, expressionless Erik ten Hag stood in his technical area at Old Trafford on Sunday,...
Poor management, on and off the field, and middling signings have left the club far behind Manchester City and LiverpoolErik ten Hag: you have three weeks to save Manchester United’s season. Sound ridiculous after only 90 minutes of Premier League action, even if that was a dire 2-1 home defeat by Brighton on Sunday – their first ever home loss against those opponents in 113 years?Of course it does, but this is the glaring truth that faces the new manager. And it certainly does not help that Ten Hag’s ability to rebuild an embarrassingly mediocre squad is materially affected by two branches of the executive: the smarts of football director, John Murtough, and the desire of the Glazer family to...
The manager is new and Cristiano Ronaldo did not start but none of that fixed problems that have haunted United for yearsA bright sun, a blue sky, the temperature climbing beyond 20C. The trams packed well over three hours before kick-off, the megastore rammed. The stewards and security men disconcertingly chirpy. The face of the new manager glaring from the scarves stretched out on the stalls on Matt Busby Way. A distinct buzz in the air. Perhaps even, if you really looked for it, a sense of optimism. And then they kicked off.There have been plenty of dispiriting afternoons for Manchester United in recent years but few quite so dispiriting as this. The feeling was perhaps that Brighton, having sold...
A fresh start will be difficult if the forward lingers, with his lack of movement causing problems on and off the pitchIt wouldn’t quite be true to say that everything was rosy at Manchester United a year ago, but they had finished second in the Premier League the previous season and had added Jadon Sancho and Raphäel Varane to the squad. The doubts around Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s management meant a serious title challenge still seemed unlikely but nobody really expected them to fall to sixth, with 16 points fewer than they had gathered the previous season.The campaign began well enough, with a 5-1 demolition of Leeds and then four points from admittedly less-than-inspiring performances in away games at Southampton and...
It will be important for United fans to be patient this season because getting level with City and Liverpool will take timeThere will be many hoping for a Dutch revolution at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag but they will require patience because Manchester United need to accept an evolutionary process is the only answer. There is no chance of a quick fix given the number of issues that need addressing.Whenever a manager arrives expectations naturally rise but it will be important for United fans to limit theirs for this season. Last season showed how far behind Manchester City and Liverpool they are and trying to get to their level will take time. United have to embrace the journey they...