Manchester United face three crucial season-defining away games in just over six days: If Spurs beat Aston Villa on Sunday, they could be out of the Champions League and the Premier League by 10pm next Saturday. They may be eight points behind the fourth place. . But although they are far from their best form, they can still produce when it matters.
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Erik ten Hag’s side will face a hostile atmosphere at Everton, Galatasaray and Newcastle as they aim to keep things on a delicate path. United have won four of their last five league games, but although they have rarely looked convincing, the wins have boosted confidence and they have found a way to get results in a top-flight season in which they have scored 13 goals in 12 games.
United had seven league wins, all by a single goal, but no United forwards scored in the victory, a sign of struggle in the final third. There were tough successes against promoted teams, but ultimately they took the points. United’s two extra-time victories prove they can fight to the end, a trait that meets Ten Hag’s approval.
“Most routines don’t work 100%, but make sure you lay the foundation by joining the fight,” says Ten Hag. “Make sure you run faster than your opponent, protect each other and react quickly. This gives you a foundation because our players have so many skills and talents.
“Their football is always there, so when we get our minds clear and bright and go into the challenge we will find moments where we can do great things because our players are capable of doing that. We have seen that in the last few games and that is why we have won four out of five.”
One reason that may explain United’s pedestrian style is the hectic schedule, which Ten Hag said “exceeds the limits of what the players can handle”. This is a team that played 62 matches last season in addition to their individual international commitments, and this is another grueling week full of travel and busy events. “Every team knows you have to suffer and sacrifice,” Ten Hag says. “If you want to prepare for matches, you have to go to certain physical levels at certain right moments, if you want to meet those standards, and those standards are set by the opponent, not by us.”
Injuries caused major problems. Luke Shaw’s return to the Everton squad is welcome news, but with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martínez and Tyrell Malacia missing and Rasmus Højlund also doubtful. If the Dane starts, it will give him the chance to score his first goal in the Premier League. He scored four goals in the Champions League but struggled domestically. “IT [the relationship between players] “It’s growing, but you see we are creating opportunities,” says Ten Hag. “It’s a matter of time and he will score in the Premier League. If you score in the Champions League, you will score in the Premier League.”
Shaw will bring balance to the team, where left-back Victor Lindelöf is struggling due to injuries. While United’s wingers prefer to cut inside and shoot, Højlund feeds a serve from the outside wing; This is something he lacks and may explain why he has failed to score in nine league games. Having Shaw on this wing, who can overlap, presents United with a dual threat, both for him and Marcus Rashford, who is most dangerous when moving inside.
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Rashford’s form has dropped this season and he has only produced a goal and an assist in 11 league matches. Only Bruno Fernandes has made two assists for United in the league because those responsible for bringing the team back to life have neglected their duty. Antony and Mason Mount failed to get a goal between them; Even centre-backs Harry Maguire, Evans and Martinez can boast an assist each. In five of United’s 12 league games, the expected goal was less than one. They won two of those games against Burnley and Fulham, but things are definitely not flowing at Old Trafford, making more fundamental skills such as physicality and fitness essential.
The first two games will be filled with battles most of the time. United will need to face Sean Dyche’s side before Wednesday’s Rams Park rout, backed by an angry crowd after the club dropped 10 points; This will be a completely new experience for most of the team and one that will include the leadership. Maguire, Scott McTominay and Fernandes will be vital on the field.
“The last matches showed the personality of the team,” says Ten Hag. “You saw them stand up and take charge. “They fight for the team, they organize for the team, and that’s why they get results.” And the only thing that matters are the results.