What is going wrong at United this season?

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between Manchester United and FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 24, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

There seems to be no end in sight for Manchester United’s troubling start to the season.

While Erik ten Hag has expertly navigated his way through some tricky political situations, the most recent onslaught of issues have been too much even for his authoritative manner to control. Mason Greenwood’s potential return, Antony’s absence amidst claims in his personal life, the ostracisation of Jadon Sancho, the failed takeover bids, and now Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed 25% purchase of the club.

The litany of behind-the-scenes difficulties have clearly affected matters on the pitch and threatened to completely derail any hopes of silverware in 2023/24. United sit tenth in the Premier League after four defeats and have already suffered two losses in their Champions League group, making this the most losses suffered in the first 10 games of a season since 1986/87. The predicament in the boardroom is a mess, but as is always the case in football, things will start to improve when results on the pitch do. So what can the Dutchman do to stop this nosedive and what are the biggest headaches in his squad in need of a quick fix? 

Defensive fragility 

Injuries have played their part in United’s poor defensive performances this season but regardless it is still a huge area of concern for Ten Hag and one that cannot persist. The absence of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Raphael Varane have had a big impact but that does not forgive the back four looking utterly clueless and the team has paid the price for their naivety far too often. There have only been three clean sheets from the 11 games played so far with those coming against 18th placed Burnley, 14th placed Wolves and Crystal Palace in the League cup. The team has conceded 19 goals so far this term making this one of the worst starts in defence of any season since the inception of the Premier League. While United’s defensive personnel have forgotten some of the basic art of defending, the midfield is equally culpable for failing to compensate. It’s been a lazy approach to defence, failing to track back to protect the goal and lacking basic communication to set up in formation when facing an attack. Those problems are further compounded by the poor performances of United’s newest goalkeeper Andre Onana. The 27-year-old Cameroonian has not been up to scratch this season. His showings have been well below what is expected from a starting Manchester United goalkeeper as he continually makes blunders resulting in goals in scenarios where he should really do better. There were lofty expectations of him upon arrival and he bears a heavy burden in replacing David De Gea, but even so, seven goals conceded from his opening 10 shots faced in the Premier League is a poor return at any level. For all that his ball-playing ability offers United at the back, if he continues to fall short of fulfilling his primary duties as a shotstopper then his spell in between the sticks at Old Trafford is likely to be a short one.

Mishmash midfield

United aren’t short of areas where injuries are taking their toll and the midfield is no exception to that. Mason Mount was ruled out through a thigh injury for a large chunk of this opening stint of the season while deadline day loanee Sofyan Amrabat was made to wait to make his debut courtesy of back spasms while out on International duty. Even so, the former Chelsea star hasn’t exactly impressed with the football he has played so far and Amrabat since making his debut has also failed to make the desired impact in supporting Bruno Fernandes. And therein lies the major issue plaguing United’s engine room, the empty hole next to the Portuguese International that Ten Hag has been unable to plug. As captain and United’s primary creative source Fernandes’ place in the starting lineup is guaranteed, however what is distinctly less certain is who will claim a consistent spot beside him. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen looked like an incredible pairing last season but have been off the mark so far this term, failing to provide the energy and spark that the team is in desperate need of. The Dutchman is also lacking in alternatives. Scott McTominay can’t be stopped when putting on a Scotland shirt but his performances for the club have been lagging well behind those on the International stage, and with Fred recently departing this summer there is little more Ten Hag can do but cross his fingers and hope somebody hits their stride and quickly. 

Not enough goal threat 

Not many people will be using their free bets to back Manchester United at the moment and a big part of the reason why is their inability to consistently find the back of the net. The Red Devils have only managed to score nine goals in the Premier League this season, positioning them in a distinctly average 11th place in the goalscoring charts so far this term. The defensive problems are being exacerbated by the fact United aren’t finding their shooting boots up front. It has resulted in the club scrambling for last-minute winners against mid table opposition and looking utterly outclassed against stronger opposition. Rasmus Hojlund is settling in well enough with three goals from eight games after a long wait to make his first start for the club but he cannot be expected to carry the fate of this season on his shoulders so early on in his United career. Marcus Rashford on the other hand is failing to meet the high standards he sets himself. The England International’s 30 goals played a huge role in United’s success in 2022/23 but with only one strike in 831 minutes of football this term, the 25-year-old’s form is taking a worrying turn for the worse. The hope will be that his recent contribution against Italy for England will revitalize the forward in front of goal but in the meantime it seems as though the boardroom will live to regret their decision to not sign Harry Kane. Overall it does not make for a good picture. Soft at the back and looking lethargic going forward, things could not get much worse for United. The only saving grace is that there is plenty of time left to turn it around, but the clock is ticking for Ten Hag and he will need to reverse the team’s fortunes if he wants to stay in the hot seat.