| With a storied history and a global fan base, the Manchester United Football Club has consistently been a dominant force in English and European football. However, the 2023-2024 season has seen them face challenges that have left their supporters scratching their heads and their rivals seizing opportunities.
In this blog post, we will explore the key reasons behind Manchester United's turbulent season.
Injury Problems
The injury crisis plaguing Manchester United this season has been nothing short of a nightmare for the club. Manager Ten Hag has found himself grappling with an extensive list of sidelined players, a predicament that has persisted since the summer and shows no signs of abating.
In their recent clash against Newcastle, the magnitude of the problem was starkly evident, with an astonishing seven key first-team players rendered unavailable due to injuries. The absence of these notable names, including Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia, Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Lisandro Martínez, profoundly impacted the team's cohesion and performance.
To compound matters, Jadon Sancho, a talent with immense potential, has been conspicuously absent from the squad since September, a disciplinary issue that has only deepened the squad's woes.
Perhaps the area that has suffered the most from this injury epidemic is the defensive line. Ten Hag desperately tries to plug the gaps left by the injured players, compelling him to experiment with eight combinations at center-back.
The lack of continuity and stability in this critical pitch area has concerned fans and pundits alike. Moreover, the left-back position has also been a revolving door, with five different players, including the likes of Sofyan Amrabat, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, Diogo Dalot, and Sergio Reguilón, being deployed in this role.
Fans are rightfully questioning the club's recruitment strategy, considering the substantial investment of nearly £400 million in new players since Ten Hag took over as manager. However, the manager argues that he has not had his preferred starting XI available at any point this season.
Is this barrage of injuries merely a stroke of bad luck, or could there be a correlation between these physical setbacks and Ten Hag's preference for intense training sessions over providing players with additional rest and recovery, especially amid a grueling fixture schedule?
The answer to this query may hold the key to resolving Manchester United's ongoing injury crisis and revitalizing their campaign.
What's Going on with Marcus Rashford’s Form?
Another significant concern for Manchester United is Marcus Rashford's form. The English forward had a prolific season last year, netting 30 goals in all competitions. However, this season has seen a stark contrast, with Rashford managing just two goals so far—one of which was a penalty.
Rashford's struggles have put added pressure on the team, especially when they desperately need goals. Ten Hag has often substituted him during matches, even when United is trailing.
Rashford's preferred position on the left of the front three has been compromised this season, as he has been deployed as a center-forward due to injuries to other players or on the right to accommodate Alejandro Garnacho's form.
The challenge for Ten Hag is to help Rashford regain his goal-scoring form, as the team cannot afford another season with such low productivity from a key attacking player.
As Manchester United fans anxiously await Marcus Rashford's return to top form, it's a reminder that in football, just like when you bet on your favorite sport, the fortunes of players and teams can shift dramatically from one season to the next.
The Striker Problem
Manchester United's goal-scoring woes have been a recurring issue. Despite finishing third last season, they were the lowest scorers in the top six, managing just 58 goals in 38 games. Additionally, they ranked second in the category of "big chances missed" with 71.
The club had prioritized signing a top-notch striker ahead of the new season, which led to high hopes among fans. However, when the opportunity to sign Harry Kane presented itself, United opted for Rasmus Højlund, a highly rated but relatively unproven youngster.
Højlund, at the age of 20, has shown promise in the Champions League with five goals but is yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League. While he may develop into a top-level striker in time, he hasn't reached that level yet.
The club maintains that signing Kane was unrealistic due to the financial aspects involved and Tottenham's reluctance to negotiate with a Premier League rival—consequently, Manchester United grapples with goal-scoring issues for the second consecutive season.
After 14 league games, the team scored just 16 goals, the lowest tally among the top 10 teams. This number is only one goal more than the struggling Everton and Burnley, who find themselves in the relegation places.
Takeaway
This season may be a testing one for Manchester United, but it is not the end of their storied journey. With history as their witness and determination as their ally, the club will undoubtedly strive to overcome these hurdles and return to the summit of English football. |
