MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United’s current form threatens to derail a season that looked to be right on track.
The Carabao Cup winners are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Yet the progress made this season will be tainted if Erik ten Hag’s side miss out on Champions League qualification, with the Red Devils currently fifth heading into the final 11 games.
Ahead of United’s home match against Brentford tonight, we look at the factors that are troubling the team.
Absent friends
Ten Hag’s men have now gone three Premier League games without a win, picking up just a single point from those fixtures.
A devastating 7-0 loss away at Liverpool was followed by a 0-0 home draw with Southampton and then most recently, a 2-0 defeat at top-four rivals Newcastle last weekend.
These results come at a time when the United boss has been without key personnel in midfield. Christian Eriksen has been injured and Casemiro has just served the second game of a four-match ban.
With those players and Anthony Martial set to return within the coming weeks, the 53-year-old will hope that they can recover to make a final push for the Champions League places.
United still have control of their own destiny. They are only behind fourth-placed Tottenham on goal difference and have two games in hand on the North Londoners.
Weghorst worries
The most worrying aspect of Manchester United’s recent three-game malaise is their inability to find the net.
Surprise January loan signing Wout Weghorst has made 19 appearances in Ten Hag’s team since but has scored just twice.
Against Newcastle, the 6ft 6in forward only touched the ball ten times before being substituted in the 62nd minute. His replacement Martial was much busier, touching the ball 16 times.
The French international has been eased back into action after a hip injury. He would surely add an extra element to United’s attack.
Though Weghorst is an excellent presser, his expected goals per 90 minutes is only 0.23, suggesting that he is simply not able to get himself into situations where he can be a threat.
Cup fatigue
Casemiro and Eriksen have been Ten Hag’s first-choice midfield pairing for much of the season, so it is natural that the team should suffer when they are both unavailable.
It is not an area where the Red Devils have sufficient strength in depth and reinforcements will be sought in the summer.
A goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet could be another priority.
A new right-back and central defender could also aid United’s ability to play out from the back, while a top-class striker to fill the gap that has been papered over with Weghorst is vitally important.
With a busy summer in the transfer market to come and a potential takeover, everyone at Old Trafford will be aware that business will run more smoothly if the team qualify for the Champions League.
United’s task is not being made easier by their cup success. Having already played the maximum amount of games in one competition, there is the possibility of two more finals to come.
With a squad that is relatively thin when it comes to players that Ten Hag can really trust, he may need some luck with fitness as they navigate a demanding fixture list.
