Manchester United stepped onto the pitch on Saturday in the hopes of bouncing back from a disappointing opening fixture. What ensued in the next 90 minutes was far from it. It was a familiar sight, yet felt like a glaring new low. United got played off the park by a Brentford team who after the game were sitting 3rd in the table. A lot of talk after this sounds familiar and that’s because it is. United have failed to fix any structural or footballing issues in recent years and it is visible on the pitch.
Brentford beat Manchester United for the first time since 1938. And to anyone else who was aware of this record before the game, we knew United would help out Brentford get that sorted. In what was probably one of the worst 30 minutes of football by any team recently, Brentford put 4 goals past United before the break.
Brentford played like…Brentford. They played with confidence, to their strengths, and most importantly – as a team. In stark contrast to that, United players jogged around the pitch getting embarrassed for another game. Each goal was a capitulation from the goalkeeper and/or the defense.
There were no positives to take from the game for Erik Ten Hag’s men. It instead showed how many areas United needs to improve in and a new low achieved by this team. A team that seems to have mastered the art of finding a new low every week.
The David De Gea problem
A game where De Gea’s weaknesses were on full display. The United number 1 fumbled an easy save to give Brentford the lead and then passed it almost straight to Mathias Jensen for the second. And then in classic De Gea fashion, stood glued to his line as United conceded from another set-piece and a counterattack. It was clear early into the game that Brentford’s trigger to press United was the goalkeeper. Which gives an easy blueprint for every other team in the Premier League to follow.
David De Gea has been the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world for a while now. And it has been a few years since he’s come close to being worthy of that top seat. Rubbing salt into the wound was the fact that there was a Spanish David on the pitch worthy of being United’s number 1, he was just wearing a Brentford top on the day. David Raya showed what United were missing as he seemed immune to any press (If you can call it that). He also seems eager to come off the line and catch the ball. I know, sounds like United could use that between the net right?
What must Ten Hag be thinking
Ten Hag has been one of the most appreciated managers in Europe for a few years now. He was probably promised backing and investment which we all know was never certain. Ten Hag wouldn’t have seen the first 2 games going the way they have even in his wildest dreams. After watching his team be bossed around by Brentford for 90 minutes, Ten Hag stared straight ahead, barely acknowledging his players as they walked off after the final whistle.
Ten Hag cannot be absolved of any blame. His team got done by another set piece and he keeps asking his goalkeeper to do something he is awful at – passing out from the back constantly. Playing Eriksen as a sweeper in front of the defense was also a highly questionable move. But at the end of the day, Ten Hag cannot be blamed for the mess United are currently in. That is only because United have been in this mess for a while now.
From here, where?
Okay, so we know that Manchester United are in a mess, to put it mildly. Bottom of the table? Check!
The fans are angry, angry with the owners, angry with the player, and angry with other fans.
The players are so low on confidence, that I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re facing anxiety every time they step onto the pitch.
Richard Arnold and John Murtough have made the worst possible first impression in their new roles.
The Glazers, as always, do not seem to care enough to back yet another manager and put him in a position to succeed.
As Ralf Rangnik said, Manchester United needs open heart surgery. For all the things he got wrong on the pitch, the German was right about that. What does that include? Probably a long list, starting with bringing in some much-needed depth and quality before the window closes. Followed by a mirage of structural changes that in a dream scenario, would end with new ownership. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
For now, United fans can take solace in the fact that football cannot ruin their next weekend. However, that should swiftly be followed by the utter dread of facing Liverpool next Monday. Well, it can’t get any worse. Surely, right?