Manchester United fans were on top of the world last May when they celebrated an FA Cup triumph, over Manchester City no less but, fast forward five short months and things are looking rather gloomy in .
After their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign with seven games played, the Red Devils sit in 14th place on eight points and, to make matters worse for the fans, Liverpool and Manchester City are first and second. He led United to an impressive third place finish in his first season in charge, but last term Erik Ten Hag’s team ended up in eighth, and that is precisely where the Premier League 2024 betting odds predict they will land in May 2025, at a price of 136.00 here at SBOTOP.
It seems to me that the Red Devils aren’t dogged by any single problem; there isn’t a quick fix and there are issues across the pitch and off it.
No goal scorer
United’s Premier League 2024 results have been underwhelming to say the least and, as common wisdom dictates, it is very difficult to win any league without a 20 goals man. Last season, Rasmus Hojlund and midfielder Bruno Fernandes were United’s league leading scorers with ten goals apiece and, this season, with just five goals scored in seven league games not one player has scored more than once.
Okay these are early days but, once the Red Devils have met Brentford and West Ham after the international break the league will be virtually a quarter of the way through. With apologies to United fans it’s hard not to notice that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored ten so far, twice the total output of the Red Devils’ entire squad.
Defensive frailties
Ten Hag made a double change to his defence for Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa, dropping Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt and replacing them with 36-year-old Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire. I saw Evans play against my beloved Burnley last season and he certainly did a job on our strikers, but the fact that Ten Hag is still depending on him speaks volumes. Argentina Martinez was superb last season, one of the very few world class talents at the club but, after the Red Devils conceded three against both FC Porto and Tottenham Hotspur, Ten Hag swung the axe.
Maguire has had his fair share of catastrophes on the pitch in recent seasons and he only made it to half time against the Villains, replaced by Victor Lindelof. But, with Evans at the heart of defence, the Red Devils kept the team which had just beaten Bayern Munich at bay. United drew a blank as well of course.
Summer transfers (in and out)
Manchester United have not been shy to splash the cash in recent seasons and this summer was no exception as the Red Devils spent a chunky £200m on incomings.
Joshua Zirkzee arrived, amidst a fanfare from Bologna, after impressing with last season’s Serie A surprise package and breaking into the Netherlands team. Zirkzee scored in United’s opening day 1-0 win over Fulham but he has been goalless since and with one goal in seven games he is, of course, joint top scorer. His international team-mate De Ligt came with a big reputation having starred for Juventus and Bayern Munich but he has been far from impressive and, so far, hasn’t looked any better than United’s existing crop of centre backs.
It’s too early to write anyone off but these players need to shine if United are to progress, and there are great expectations on the shoulders of defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte after he arrived in a switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile two players who have left the club are thriving. Midfielder Scott McTominay switched to Napoli for £21m and he has already become a fans favourite as the Patrenopei sit at the summit of the Italian league, while winger Jadon Sancho has been putting in some impressive performances for Chelsea.
Ten Hag unsettled
As the dust was still settling on Manchester United’s historic FA Cup final win against Manchester City last May, the manager was forced to come out and defend his position as speculation over his future reached fever pitch. Well, despite rumours that the club owners were keen on a change at the helm, Ten Hag stayed on. But things haven’t gone well since and, only last week, this SBOTOP writer asked ‘how long has the Dutchman got’ at Old Trafford?
The German press have just reported that VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness turned down an approach from Manchester United in the summer and Thomas Tuchel was also linked with the Old Trafford club. So you have to ask how must Ten Hag feel right now?
All the momentum from United’s FA Cup win has been squandered and a quick turnaround is required; and many Red Devils fans still think Ten Hag is the man to deliver it.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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