So much has changed, so much remains the same

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MUFC Monday Morning Musings -Matchday 3

Manchester United 0 v 3 Liverpool, Sunday 1st September 2024

3-points from 9, a heavy and demoralising defeat by Liverpool, a negative goal difference, a creaking Casemiro … so much has changed, so much remains the same.
A transfer window that has seen United bolster their defence with the signings of Yoro, de Ligt and Mazraoui, strengthen midfield with Ugarte and gain much needed depth in the centre forward position left supporters feeling pretty positive going into the season.
Varane, Wan Bissaka, van de Beek, Greenwood, Martial, Pellistri and Meijbri were all sold or let go when their contracts finished. I was sad to see McTominay go. While he would have been unlikely to be first choice, given the number of games, he would still have got plenty of game time. Ultimately, Napoli is a fantastic move for him and I wish him well.
This team, this squad, is now very much Erik ten Hag’s, he needs to get a tune out of them … fast. Winning cups is one thing, consistency in the league is very much another.
The FA Cup win was glorious. It will be remembered for the epic 4-3 win over Liverpool and United’s best performance under ten Hag against city at Wembley in the final. Not for United’s collapse against Coventry in the semi. United rode their luck.
United have now won 3 from their last 13 league games. If Casemiro is, rightly, being questioned in relation to whether he has the fitness or legs to play in the Premier League, then it is only right, with those stats, to question whether ten Hag has the tactics and nous to manage productively in the Premier League.


Jamie Carragher mentioned in commentary that Liverpool, under their new manager, showed more style and strategy in Slot’s 3rd game in charge than United in ten Hag’s 3rd season.
While Slot inherited a team that has largely played together for years, the scouser makes a fair point. United look pretty one dimensional under ten Hag and struggle to adapt; either in advance or during games.
Slot’s post match interview highlighted that he and his team had done their homework and focused on how to counter United’s strengths and go after the weak points.
Liverpool were helped by an embarrassing first half display by Casemiro who continuously lost possession. He didn’t learn and eventually one of his stray passes led to a Liverpool goal. He then did it again.
United’s bench was pretty slim on the ground, but the Brazilian was rightly hooked at the break, replaced by young Collyer.
Liverpool scored a 3rd and could have gone further ahead. Their fans chanted ‘ole’ with each pass as the scousers threatened to wipe the floor with United.

This was a mauling. At the end of the day, the only stat that matters is the scoreline.
Ugarte, Shaw, Yorp, Mount and Hojlund have all to come in for United, but, on paper, the line-up should have been strong enough to compete.
Away trips to Southampton and Palace are up next for United. 6-points are required to get this season back on track.

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