A Disheartening Start
Manchester United’s rough start to the season feels all too familiar. After a summer of changes behind the scenes and extending the manager’s contract, fans were hoping for more. But here we are, with just three points from the first three games, and things look worryingly similar to last season.
A Troubling Sequence of Results
It began with a shaky 1-0 win against Fulham under the Friday night lights at Old Trafford. Then came a frustrating loss to Brighton at the Amex, a ground that has become a tough place for us, and finally, a crushing 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at home. Heading into the international break, it feels like we’ve seen this before, and memories of Mourinho’s last season are creeping back.
Echoes of the Past
Back then, it started similarly – a narrow win under the lights, followed by a defeat at Brighton and a heavy home loss, this time to Spurs. Mourinho didn’t last the season, and you have to wonder if Ten Hag might face the same fate if things don’t turn around. That Liverpool loss was particularly concerning, with Casemiro making costly errors and the team crumbling when they went behind.
Off-Season Optimism
Over the summer, things looked positive. The club stuck with Ten Hag, gave him a contract extension, and backed him in the transfer market. New signings like Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee were brought in to strengthen the team. But, of course, bad luck struck again with injuries hitting key players early in pre-season.
Transfer Market Moves
Despite adding more talent, like De Ligt and Mazraoui from Bayern, the team’s early performances show that getting back to the top is going to take more than just a few new faces. Injuries and fitness issues are always part of the start of a season, especially after a major tournament like the Euros. But now, Ten Hag needs to figure out how to bring everything together.
Midfield Troubles
One area that remains a headache is the midfield. The combination of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and young Kobbie Mainoo sounds good on paper, but it just hasn’t clicked on the field. Casemiro seems to be struggling with the pace, and while Mainoo is a promising talent, he’s only 19 and can’t carry that responsibility week in, week out.
Need for Tactical Adjustments
The mix doesn’t seem right, and Bruno, despite being one of our best players, can be erratic. Maybe he needs two holding players behind him, like when Fred and McTominay helped him thrive under Ole.
Looking Ahead
There’s plenty to think about for Ten Hag. He needs to fix the midfield, solve the issues in defense, and get Rashford firing again. It’s early days, but this season’s start feels too much like the last one, and the pressure is already building. Let’s hope the international break gives the team time to regroup and come back stronger.
