Manchester United is grappling with several major challenges as the new season begins. The team is dealing with key player injuries, financial difficulties, and formation problems, all of which threaten their performance. The injuries to Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund, combined with financial losses reported to shareholders, have put the club under significant pressure. Erik ten Hag’s formation issues, made worse by these setbacks, are making it difficult for the team to find stability.
Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund’s Injuries
Leny Yoro and Rasmus Højlund’s injuries are big challenges for Manchester United this start of the season.
Yoro, an 18-year-old defender signed for up to £58.9 million, had to leave the field during a preseason game against Arsenal on July 28th.
He was later seen on crutches with a protective boot on his left foot. His absence creates a hole in United’s defence, forcing the team to find other solutions.
Højlund, a Denmark international bought for £72 million, hurt his hamstring during a pre-season tour in the United States.
He scored in a game against Arsenal in Los Angeles but had to leave early. Højlund scored 16 goals in his first season and hoped to score over 20 this year, but his injury might stop him.
Problems With Formation
Erik ten Hag is facing big challenges with Manchester United’s formation this season due to injuries in the attack. With Rasmus Højlund out for six weeks and Joshua Zirkzee still getting up to speed, Ten Hag might use Jadon Sancho as a temporary striker.
Zirkzee, bought from Bologna for £36.5 million, missed the pre-season tour due to Euro 2024 and hasn’t trained with the squad yet.
With these challenges, the Red Devils are not among the favourite clubs to win the Premier League, according to Unibet’s betting platforms that provides the best Premier League odds in Australia.
Financial Challenges
Manchester United faces serious financial challenges this season, which add to their on-field problems. As a public company, they must update shareholders and the New York Stock Exchange on their financial health every three months. Recently, they reported a pre-tax loss of £89.2 million for the third quarter of the financial year ending March 31.
This large loss is mainly because of costs tied to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ share purchase, plus having nine fewer home games than last year.
The published numbers have raised concerns about United’s profit and sustainability rule (PSR) compliance, as they are nearing the limits of what is allowed. These financial strains make it even harder for Manchester United to achieve success both on and off the field this season. With the new Premier League season starting soon, it remains to be seen how Manchester United are going to tackle these challenges and whether they will be a serious contender for winning the league later on.
