Despite Manchester United’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, there were elements that injected a sense of optimism into the club. A minority ownership under Jim Ratcliffe brought a renewed vibrancy that is yet to be seen in the club’s performance. The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo from the club’s academy showcased continued production of high-quality footballers. Their victory over local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final also held out hope.
On the flip side, their worst-ever finish in the Premier League and early elimination from European competition raised numerous concerns. Injury problems were major setbacks, and Coach Erik ten Hag appeared to lack a clear strategy for success. A noticeable dearth of senior players stepping up to their potential was also evident.
Despite an overhaul of the coaching staff, the roster of players has barely changed. Teenaged defender Leny Yoro, who joined with high expectations, is sidelined for three months with a foot injury, leaving forward Joshua Zirkzee as the only fresh recruit at Ten Hag’s disposal. This makes in-house improvement critical.
English player Marcus Rashford missed out on the England squad due to a dip in form, Casemiro seemed ill-suited to the tempo of English football, Andre Onana had an inconsistent season, and Mason Mount failed to make any meaningful contribution.
However, all these players enjoyed a summer off from international tournaments, so Ten Hag must rely on them in the early stages of the season whilst those representing their countries in Germany or the US recoup.
When questioned about the difficulties of getting the team to settle, Ten Hag admitted the team had had little time together and would need to work on a shared game model. He acknowledged the difficulties faced but also pointed out that teams with fewer international players could make use of a full preseason, putting them potentially ahead. Hence, the challenge for Manchester United is managing the coming weeks without any loss of points.
Last season, United got off to a shaky start, suffering four defeats in their first seven league matches. Only narrow wins against Wolves and Nottingham Forest saved them from further humiliation, as they seemed to stumble through the initial stages. Another similar performance could pile immense pressure on Ten Hag and his squad, something they proved incapable of handling in the previous season.
The morale boost gained from clinching the FA Cup and winning the last two league fixtures needs to be harnessed if United expect to generate any momentum, which they have shown to struggle with in the past. Messages from America detailing preseason friendly matches will soon become irrelevant. Another triumph at Wembley could lay a solid foundation for a potential fresh chapter at Old Trafford.
Out of the experienced team members, Bruno Fernandes as the captain and Lisandro Martinez, were the ones who exerted themselves the most in an attempt to secure wins from disappointing performances last season, while others simply faltered.
In contrast, even when City are not in their top form, they have key players who can tip the balance in their favour, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland in their ranks. United, on the other hand, have been missing such impactful players. United did manage to outdo City in a significant match in May, but this must become their normal approach, guided by their most experienced members.
Rashford cannot remain on the margins for another successive season. He needs to assert himself as an indispensable member in both good and trying times. After not making the cut for England’s Euros team, he should now feel physically rejuvenated and mentally invigorated.
“On tour, Rashford was seen as spirited and in excellent physical condition,” stated Ten Hag. “We have high expectations from him this season, just as we do from the rest of the team. There are numerous assumptions about Manchester United. We, however, know the reality. He has been putting in considerable effort and demonstrating tremendous dedication and drive for a successful season.”
This week United will host Fulham at Old Trafford, a side they suffered a bitter defeat to at home back in February, and who have enjoyed a relatively uneventful summer. This encounter will be followed by a challenging journey to Brighton, before they entertain Liverpool at home.
“We beat Liverpool, we beat Man City, but our real test lies in performing consistently against those perceived as lower class teams,” commented Ten Hag. “I believe there are no lower class teams in the Premier League. Winning points is the key and it seems other teams have a head start in that regard; that’s where we need to make up ground.”
Despite City experiencing defeat in their last three Community Shields, it’s seen as a minor hiccup in Guardiola’s otherwise successful reign, as evidenced by the impressive array of heavyweight trophies adorning the Etihad Stadium. A further loss would likely elicit nothing more than a disinterested sigh from East Manchester, making the game’s outcome much more critical for Ten Hag looking to restore morale at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag insisted, “We’ve proven that we can triumph over City already and our faith in this isn’t dependent on Saturday’s outcome, and our conviction remains unchanged. The FA Cup held graver implications than Saturday’s match will. However, we still have the desire to claim victory, and we’ve demonstrated that we are, indeed, capable of defeating City when necessary.”
United are now faced with a test, and it’s crucial for their leading players to rise to the occasion once again.