Chris Sutton believes Manchester United’s biggest problem is their midfield and not their defence.
It is no secret that Manchester United have had a torrid start to the 2023/24 season after losing three of their first five matches in the Premier League as well as their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
Erik ten Hag knows that results need to improve and United have a chance to do that with three winnable games coming up. It starts this weekend with a trip to Burnley before back-to-back home games against Crystal Palace.
Those matches are followed by Brentford at home and a trip to Sheffield United. Ten Hag’s side must improve defensively if they are to concede less goals, but the midfield has become a subject of criticism this season with players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen not looking a shadow of their former selves. Even Scott McTominay – when called upon – doesn’t look interested.
Sutton, speaking on Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Coming Up’, said issues in United’s midfield is to blame for their slow start to the new season.
“I think Manchester United’s problem area, and I say a problem area, but the biggest issue Manchester United have is that midfield area,” Sutton said. “I just do not think they have the legs and dynamism.
“Look at the other teams at the top of the table who do, and that’s their biggest issue. I think we discussed it on Monday, didn’t we? Manchester United really can only play counter-attack, and that’s their problem.”
The biggest observation I took from the Wednesday night is that we can’t afford to play Casemiro and Eriksen in the same midfield because they haven’t got the legs the cover one another.
That is why United need to get the likes of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat fit as soon as possible. Ten Hag can’t keep picking the likes of McTominay if they continue to let the side down.
Daily Mail journalist Ian Ladyman added his thoughts on Wednesday night’s game, saying: “I watched the game last night, that was a schoolboy error.”
“So what I think that shows more than any great kind of damning verdict on the goalkeeper Onana. I think it shows that this kind of this virus of uncertainty is starting to spread through that Manchester United team.
“I mean last night you had Marcus Rashford playing well, you had Rasmus Hojlund playing well, but then you’ve got Lisandro Martinez who doesn’t look like the player that he was last season and now the goalkeepers… making mistakes.
“That’s what I would worry about if I was Erik ten Hag – the fact that the confidence is draining out of that team.”
Sutton also previewed United’s trip to Turf Moor by saying: “I think this is a must win for Manchester United at the weekend. More importantly, I think it’s a must win for Erik ten Hag because I think the faith among the Manchester United support will be dwindling with every loss, with every insipid performance.
“Burnley seems to be an obvious opportunity for Manchester United to get their season back on the rails.
“I think the draw would be a bad result for Ten Hag. Ten Hag needs this. I don’t think anybody expected them to beat Bayern Munich in fairness. And, you know, Onana had a nightmare.”
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