Burnley 270424

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MUFC Monday musings - matchday 34
Manchester United 1 v 1 Burnley

Saturday 27th April 2024

There are only 4 league matches left of this incredibly strange season for Manchester United. An FA Cup Final awaits afterwards, but it's pretty hard to look forward to that given the air of uncertainty hanging over the team.

The will he/won't he be here at the start of next season continues to hang over manager Erik Ten Hag. While part of me would like United to stick with a manager who has been hard done by through the mess he inherited, severe injuries, the takeover and several challenging circumstances with players attitude and off-field behaviour ... the mood in the United camp would indicate that the decision may well have been made already.

United attacked well, peppering Burnley's goal with 31 efforts, but only 5 were on target. The same total mustered by their opposition. Onana made a few excellent saves, but also gave away the penalty for the equaliser.

Is that 4 late penalties United have conceded in the last couple of months? I've lost count of that and the number of points we have thrown away from winning positions.

I've also lost count of injuries. McTominay will have a scan on his knee injury this morning. It looks bad and it will be a real shame if he misses out on the Euros for Scotland after such a prolific season for club and country. McTominay's attitude can never be questioned. 

The second half on Saturday was weird. Mainoo and Hojlund were both substituted, leaving United to play half an hour with no recognised striker on the field. Both players looked tired and United scored following the substitutions thanks to a determined burst of pace by Antony who could have gone down under a Burnley challenge but he kept going. A good goal.

Fernades and Garancho offered United pace, running and true quality, but beneath that, the reds were sadly lacking any threat.

United now have a break until Monday 6th May when they travel to Crystal Palace - never an easy place and they have beaten Newcastle and West Ham at home lately. 

After that, Arsenal come to Old Trafford in pusuit of the title and that is swiftly followed by Newcastle at home. Both have the title and Europe to play for. Both will fancy their chances big time.

The league season ends with a trip to the seaside at Brighton. I don't think we'll have anything to play for by then. If we don't get into Europe then I wonder if Ten Hag could go before the FA Cup Final in an attempt to lift the mood in the camp.

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