Final season, it might properly have been the FA Cup that stored Erik ten Hag within the Outdated Trafford scorching seat.
Nevertheless, this time period, there is probably not a number of saving him. Manchester United look as toothless as they ever have achieved in the course of the Dutchman’s tenure and after three video games, issues usually are not getting any simpler.
United defeated Fulham on the opening day of the brand new Premier League marketing campaign however they’ve now suffered back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool. Sure, they had been powerful fixtures however the efficiency in each video games has left a lot to be desired.
In opposition to the Seagulls, their lack of defensive organisation was bewildering as they left Joao Pedro unmarked on the again submit to attain late on.
Everyone knows what Liverpool’s assault can do however these in pink didn’t assist themselves one bit on Sunday night.
It was a very poor efficiency as they slipped to a 3-0 defeat, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah downing Ten Hag’s males who ended up wanting slightly sorry for themselves at full-time.
Nevertheless, can we actually argue with the style of defeat when a sure Casemiro continues to be picked?
Casemiro’s efficiency in numbers
Final season the Brazilian was a shadow of his former self. Usually pressured to play at centre-half, he was by no means convincing in that function. That stated, you possibly can barely forgive him when enjoying out of place.
It was the previous Actual Madrid man’s shows in midfield that had been most worrying. So dangerous had been the performances that Jamie Carragher identified that he must be departing the membership in the course of the switch window, telling him to move to Saudi Arabia.
Effectively, that transfer didn’t occur and United are nonetheless paying for Casemiro’s dreadful performances. In opposition to Liverpool, he was comfortably the worst participant on the pitch and it was hardly a shock to see him dragged off at half-time. Ten Hag had seen sufficient as he placed on academy graduate Toby Collyer as an alternative.
Why? Effectively, the Brazil worldwide was at fault for each targets within the opening 45 minutes. He gave away possession for the primary and was then caught on the ball for the second. It was nicked away from him and earlier than you knew it Diaz had the ball within the United internet.
MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst actually did not mince his phrases in his post-match feedback, handing the veteran a 1/10 ranking whereas suggesting it was ‘one of many worst first-half performances by a United participant at Outdated Trafford.’
After the arrival of Manuel Ugarte, that, fairly frankly, must be that so far as his days as a daily starter are involved.
Casemiro wasn’t the one poor performer, removed from it.
Joshua Zirkzee’s efficiency in numbers
This was a proud day for summer season signing, Joshua Zirkzee. After scoring a late winner on debut, he needed to wait till the conflict with Liverpool to earn his first begin for the membership.
Did he ship? Not likely, no. The aforementioned Luckhurst handed him a 4/10 ranking, writing that he was ‘utterly out of kilter within the first half and may need come off had Casemiro not needed to come off.’
|
Zirkzee vs Liverpool |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes performed |
86 |
|
Touches |
33 |
|
Correct passes |
15/21 (71%) |
|
Targets |
0 |
|
Anticipated targets (xG) |
0.88 |
|
Huge possibilities missed |
2 |
|
Dribble makes an attempt |
0/3 |
|
Floor duels gained |
0/6 |
|
Aerial duels gained |
0/4 |
|
Possession misplaced |
13x |
|
Fouls |
2 |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore. |
|
Damning certainly. Reality be informed, the striker by no means actually received into the sport and finally vacated the sphere on 86 minutes having had simply 33 touches, 22 fewer than goalkeeper Andre Onana and 12 fewer than Casemiro.
What was most regarding, nevertheless, was the standard of ending on show from the younger attacker. He had one notable likelihood within the second half the place he ought to have buried a header.
In all, this was a torrid afternoon for the Crimson Devils they usually should return to the drafting board.
Does Zirkzee preserve his place? United have tried Bruno Fernandes in a false 9 place this time period nevertheless it simply hasn’t labored. That is to not say it would not work with a extra dynamic ahead participant in that function although. Anybody for Amad Diallo?
