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The 2019-20 Premier League season is at just over its halfway stage and as we step into the start of the new year, every club are analysing their performance so far and reassessing their targets for the rest of the campaign.
However, no top-flight club have had a more topsy-turvy season, so far, than Manchester United. Following a positive start to their campaign, the Red Devils have blown hot and cold, thereby proving to be a fortune teller's nightmare. As we step into the second half of the Premier League season, the only thing we can expect from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men is the unexpected.
Here are five things we have learnt about Manchester United based on their volatile performances so far this season:
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#5 Well begun is only half done
Manchester United enjoyed a positive start to the ongoing Premier League season as they crushed Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford on the opening day of the campaign. Bolstered by the arrivals of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka over the summer, United looked resolute in defence. Meanwhile, they posed a serious threat on the counter-attack, thanks to Daniel James, who joined the club from Swansea City, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Buoyed by their big win, some Manchester United fans began to believe that this would finally be the year when their team finally turned a corner. However, all their dreams would soon come crashing down as they fell to a surprising defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace the following week. In hindsight, this was a sign of things to come from the Red Devils as almost five months later, they still struggle to put together a positive run of results. Clearly, well begun is only half done as far as Manchester United is concerned.
#4 When it rains it pours for United
As far as the reasons behind Manchester United’s unpredictable form this season are concerned, a number of them can be cited. However, even the most ardent rival fan will agree that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have been extremely unfortunate in terms of the number of injuries that they have had to deal with. A series of injuries to key players across the pitch at various points of the season so far has forced the Norwegian manager to field several inexperienced academy products.
Although United have built a reputation of giving youth a chance, Solskjaer would be the first one to admit that a lot of decisions this season have been influenced by circumstances and not by his own choice. But the silver lining for Solskjaer as we go into the new year is that a lot of his injured stars are expected to return to full fitness with Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly being the biggest examples. Hopefully, the return of the Frenchman and the Ivorian marks the end of the United’s injury woes for the foreseeable future.
#3 The Curious Case of Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United was met with mixed reactions from the Red Devils faithful. And a few of years on, it is safe to say that nothing much has changed. The Frenchman has had a number of haircuts during his time at Old Trafford, but he has failed to recreate the form that made United shell out a then world-record fee for him on a consistent basis. What is even more frustrating from a fan’s perspective is that there have been times where Pogba has looked disinterested in playing for the club.
Regardless of his questionable attitude though, Solskjaer and his predecessors have always shown immense faith in him and with good reason. All said and done, Pogba is undisputedly United’s most complete player and he does make a tangible difference to the team. However, much like Manchester United’s form this season, Pogba needs to find his best form on a consistent basis. The 26-year-old showed glimpses of what he is capable of on his return from injury against Watford and hopefully, Solskjaer can help him build on that cameo performance for the rest of the season.
#2 The Struggle is Real
Flying wingers and counter-attacks have become a part of Manchester United’s tradition over the years and it is great that the club still upholds that style of play on the pitch. However, somewhere along the way, United have somehow forgotten how to win games by dominating possession. Far too often, Solskjaer’s men have struggled to break down teams who park the bus and let United have the ball for the vast majority of the game.
This has especially been the case against the so-called ‘smaller teams’ whose entire plan is to sit back against Manchester United and then try and nick something on the break. Though United possess extreme pace across their attack, the team have looked too one dimensional at times this season. Manchester United’s inability to dominate possession this season also has to with the number of central-midfielders that have picked up injuries. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the Red Devils have been linked with the likes of James Maddison and Jack Grealish as the winter transfer window opens. One way or the other, Solskjaer has to find a way to ensure that Manchester United start winning games by having the lion’s share of the ball.
#1 Manchester United are Still a Work in Progress
2020 marks the starts of a new decade and as far as Manchester United are concerned, it is the seventh year since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager of the club. The interim period has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride and it is about time that the ride comes to a halt.
At a recent press conference, Solskjaer mentioned that the 2020s will be the decade where United reassert themselves as a global football powerhouse. Though that may seem like too much of a long-term target, the manager is fully aware of what his team are lacking at the moment. The only way Manchester United can achieve their goal for the decade is by breaking it down into smaller targets for each season. And despite a whirlwind season so far, United are still on track for a top-four finish in the Premier League and possible glory in the UEFA Europa League as well as the domestic knockout competitions. In conclusion, the opening few months of 2020 are crucial for Manchester United as it may go on to shape not just the rest of their season, but also the rest of their decade.
