Manchester United convincingly won against Southampton on the weekend but it has been a case of one step forward, two steps back generally under Erik ten Hag.
They will get the chance to put those fears to rest when they face League One opposition Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on September 17.
It is as soft a landing as Manchester United could possibly get on paper coming off a good win and getting the chance to build some momentum and string victories together.
With an away trip to bogey team Crystal Palace to follow this, the need is paramount to get another convincing win here and approach the game at Selhurst Park full of belief.
Here’s the Man Utd vs Barnsley prediction and analysis-
Match breakdown
Funnily enough, there’s a lot riding on this game for the first team because United’s U21s have already beaten Barnsley this season. Jack Fletcher was the hero that day with a late brace which turned the game around.
Therefore, it would be an unthinkable wound for the senior team if they were to struggle to beat a team at home that has already been beaten away from home by the youngsters at the club.
Thankfully, the wave of momentum these two sides are on couldn’t be more different. While United’s win vs Southampton has already been much celebrated, Barnsley were involved in a 3-0 result too.
However, it was a 3-0 loss for them, as they fell away to Stevenage, hardly ideal preparation for such a marquee tie at Old Trafford.
Having said that, they have earned this tie after upsetting Sheffield United at home in the previous round, so they certainly can’t be taken lightly.
Barnsley’s games have followed a similar pattern this season. Most of the time, if they have less possession than the opposition, they win, and vice versa.
In that 3-0 loss vs Stevenage, they had 60% possession, while in a win away to Crawley Town by the same margin, they sat back and hit them on the counter, finishing with just 31% possession but 15 shots.
It is fairly easy to assume that the tie at Old Trafford will follow a similar pattern. Barnsley will concede possession, stay in a deep block, and challenge United to break them down. An attack or two on transition for them will be a bonus.
Fortunately, United have much more quality than Crawley Town in possession so Barnsley’s rearguard action shouldn’t be so easy.
Man Utd vs Barnsley prediction
After some injury worries on the weekend, Erik ten Hag, who generally prefers to hammer in patterns of play by not rotating his side, might be forced into a decision.
For once, United’s strength in depth looks okay, especially to handle the threat of a League One side.
Expect the likes of Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jonny Evans to start as Ten Hag gives a rare day off to his first-choice players. Some youngsters should be involved too.
United won’t get many more such opportunities to rotate heavily while still being the favourites so this is a chance they should take with both hands.
Unfortunately, that means some growing pains can be witnessed as a new-look team might struggle to break down a deep block.
Still, if United keep patient and probing, they should eventually break the deadlock, after which Barnsley will be forced to come out of their shell.
Don’t expect United to blow Barnsley away, but a professional, no-fuss performance to seal progression, with the odd scary moment during transitions.
United in Focus predicts Man Utd 2-0 Barnsley.
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