Another major blow to Manchester United’s pursuit of a top-four finish comes after a lacklustre 1-1 draw against Leicester City at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are now three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played two more games than the Gunners. The game has left us with doubt about the direction the club is heading. United aren’t even on the brink of a crisis anymore. The damage is already done. The sub-par performances we’ve seen all season are expected nowadays. Here are five things we learned watching United’s miserable return to Premier League action.
CONCEDING FIRST
Why does the team always have to concede a goal before they look threatening? It’s needless to say Old Trafford isn’t the fortress it once was. The onus is always on the home side to deliver and to force the issue. However, time after time United concede first and don’t switch on until they’re behind on the scoresheet. No matter the quality or calibre of the opposition, teams always seem to have the mental edge over United.
Leicester were brave enough to play a high line and it certainly paid off with Youri Tielemans winning the ball back with ease and winning free kicks while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was the engine in midfield. The Foxes secured a lead after Kelechi Iheanacho headed in a curling delivery from James Maddison. It was only when United conceded the goal that they decided to get among the action after Fred converted the rebound of Bruno Fernandes’ blocked shot just three minutes later.
Despite seeing more of the ball with 54% possession, United never seized control. The international break was an opportunity for the players to do some serious soul-searching. They should’ve been rejuvenated and eager to prove why they deserve to wear the shirt. However, they look spiritless and unable to grab the game by the scruff of the neck to put Leicester on the back foot.
Constantly conceding first does come down to mentality as there was no impetus or intensity. It seemed like United had nothing to chase. Relying on top-four rivals to drop points won’t be enough as they need to start picking up the points the hard way.
DISJOINTED SET-UP
Dry of creativity, no real cohesion or purpose. United started that first half as if they already wanted the game to be over. The attack was disjointed as the urgency to drive through the midfield and take on defenders was replaced by hesitancy and lethargy. It was a dull first half as both teams lacked quality in the final third. The biggest chance came from a shot from Fernandes that was saved by Kasper Schmeichel’s outstretched foot.
Leicester were easily finding space in and around United’s midfield with Iheanacho dropping slightly deeper as well as Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall.
It was clear that United lacked quality upfront as no one was getting in the penalty box. The absence of a centre-forward meant the players were relying on runs in from behind which were poorly timed. United also struggled to create chances as Jadon Sancho was laying off to the side instead of utilising that explosive pace to drive past defenders.
The game started at a testimonial pace as United failed to sustain an attack or control the tempo. An uninspiring draw was destined to happen.
MAIN MAN MISSING
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the squad due to illness left Rangnick with no centre-forwards options on the pitch. Someone desperately needed to step up and unsurprisingly, nobody rose to the occasion.
Playing without a striker upfront leaves an extra man in midfield to dominate possession and overwhelm the opposition. But United are not Manchester City who are capable of sustaining a threat without a proper centre forward.
While playing Fernandes in the false nine position gives him the freedom to roam around, he dropped too deep far too often which meant United were missing a focal point.
It’s not too far fetched to suggest that United have relied on individual brilliance all season due to the lack of an identity and style of play. Ronaldo’s influence on the pitch is unrivalled and the team’s record without him speaks volumes. For every game he has not started this season in the Premier League, United have failed to pick up a single win.
In the second half, the change that needed to be made was obvious — bring on Marcus Rashford. Rangnick’s decision to play without a recognised striker over starting Rashford shows just how much the tide has turned for the 24-year-old. Unfortunately, Rashford failed to make any sort of impact after being introduced in the final 35 minutes. He did have a moment late in stoppage time to make it 2-1, but an offside Elanga denied the goal-scoring chance.
FRED THE RED
Fred continues to put up impressive numbers with a pass completion of 89%, one goal and 12 ball recoveries. He deserves some praise as his goal meant United were still able to take a point out of the game and it was a solid performance on his half. He’s been assertive in his new number eight role in possession by winning the ball back on multiple occasions. He drove the ball forward to create space and that goal was a sign of his development.
On his 100th Premier League appearance, his equaliser provided momentum and instilled some life back into a place that needed lifting. While he certainly isn’t perfect or even the quality United need — he is the most improved player.
TOUGH TASK
The new manager, whoever they are, will have to overcome one of the toughest tasks of their managerial career. This is without a doubt United’s worst season since the horrors of Moyes’ reign in 2013-14. One could even make the argument that this season is worse as the club is suffering its worst trophy drought in four decades.
The expectation of a title charge and possible contention to lift the most coveted trophy, being the Champions League, has been ruined by a team who can’t even be bothered to fight for a place in the top-four — let alone compete.
The manager will have to spark a cultural reset and a squad rebuild in the summer just to get this team in the right state of mind. It might even take more than a class manager to sort this club out as the problems stem right from the ownership and those in charge.