5 Things That Are Going Wrong At Manchester United

Yet, another loss for Manchester United. Those were the sentiments of the Manchester United faithful after yet another loss in the Premier League against Wolves. This is now the third loss for the Red Devils in their last four games in all competitions.

When Ole took over, the team went through a 10 game winning run and the fans started to believe in the team's prospects for this season again. But the losses now have the fans and no doubt the management team wondering where the problem may be.

So, where does the problem lie in this Manchester United side?

Or maybe the aura of excitement that came with Solskjaer has finally ended and the team is back to where it was originally meant to be?

Maybe not, here are the problems that United are currently facing.

#5 De Gea’s Form

The Spaniard has been off his best in recent weeks

There’s no doubt that David De Gea is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world today, he probably is the best at the moment. But his form this season has been wanting.

He no longer seems to be the keeper that was worth 10-20 points for United even before a single ball was kicked at the beginning of the season. Other than the Tottenham game earlier this year, De Gea hasn’t really shown his best for United this term.

His form for Spain isn’t better as well, it is time United found a way to address his struggles or find themselves a new goalkeeper. And with the prices of goalkeepers seemingly going up every day, United will not want to be in the market for a goalkeeper anytime soon.

They, of course, have another world-class keeper in Sergio Romero in their ranks and maybe it is time he is given a run in and De Gea to have a taste of the bench for a while.

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#4 Chris Smalling needs reinforcements

Chris Smalling needs helping legs at the back

Contrary to what has been portrayed in the media and the sentiments of Gareth South Gate, Chris Smalling is currently the best English central defender in the league. He’s seemingly un-droppable for United at the moment and one may wonder what will happen to United in case he gets injured.

Victor Lindelof has been showing how good he is since Ole took over, but it seems the excitement of Ole’s appointment has gone for his as well. Smalling, however, has remained in the same form that he has been throughout the whole season and no one seems to have noticed other than his United manager.

On current form, the United backline should be built around him and not Lindelof. And as such, he needs those around him to step up. The likes of Jones and Bailly haven’t quite performed well when they’re played. Victor Lindelof has shown promise but he needs to put up great performances in every game.

#3 Filling the right-back vacancy

United's right back suffered against Wolves

It’s about time that United face it and accept that they need a permanent solution to their right back position. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have done a great job there, but they’re originally wingers who were converted to fullbacks. United need a specialist right back that can fully fill that void long-term.

In Jose Mourinho’s final transfer window, he brought in Diogo Dalot, but he still looks young and raw despite his obvious potential. Do Manchester United need to get another full back or should they just start giving him more games to build his experience? That’s a question that should be answered as soon as possible.

Ashley Young’s form of late has really depleted and one may begin to wonder if it is worth playing him than giving the raw talent a chance to showcase his potential. And the red card against Wolves yesterday goes further to prove that he should now be dropped for the foreseeable future.

With Matteo Darmian looking like he’ll leave at the end of the season, United should look to recruit in that department, even if it’s just for a cover.

#2 Is Pogba leaving?

Was Mourinho really wrong about Paul Pogba? Since Ole took over, Paul Pogba has an upturn in form that everyone thought Mourinho was the reason Pogba wasn’t performing. But what excuse does the Frenchman and his fellows have at the moment?

He’s being played to his strengths and has a manager that genuinely believes in him, but he still isn’t performing. Have the rumors that Zidane wants him at Madrid started to turn his head to that direction?

Whatever reasons he may have, he should be professional and give Manchester United his all even if he wants to leave the club. That much United deserve from him, since, for no other reason, he’s contracted to them currently.

If he’s leaving then United need to identify the right player to fill his place at the club and maybe at the moment he should be dropped and Fred allowed to take up his position.

#1 Herrera's contract situation should be sorted

Ander Herrera has been the unseen hero in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United great form. He’s been the engine that has been keeping the team ticking and is a definite starter at the moment.

United know his importance and that’s why they are looking to tie him down to a new contract with the likes of PSG circling in. If his contract situation won’t be sorted out then he may continue to look distracted as he’s been in the last few games.

United don’t want their midfield general to look distracted in games especially with a big match against Barcelona coming up in the Champions League. They’ll need him at his best and they need to sort out his contract situation as soon as possible. And with Pogba’s head seemingly turned, the team needs Herrera to get back to his combative and energetic form.

Ole needs to also assure Herrera of his importance to the team and work with him more in the training ground to help him get back to the form he was in before he got injured.

Edited by Jidonu Mauyon