Manchester United’s draw with Southampton was a sadly predictable result and performance. After leading 1-0 at half-time United faltered to a 1-1 draw.
Finishing in the top four seems more unlikely than probable at this stage, with far tougher fixtures ahead in the Premier League in March.
United have a host of problems which require fixing, which range from do-able to impossible. Here is a look at the issues plaguing the team right now…
Players can’t finish
In the past four matches Manchester United have taken 82 shots and scored only four goals. That’s awful!
United have been too wasteful and too casual, and the principle players at fault have been Cristiano Ronaldo, and against Burnley, Edinson Cavani.
Ronaldo is a big problem at present. He looks frustrated with himself, and he is harming the team. His movement is poor and his finishing is not clinical. Sadly United’s options are thin up front at present.
Marcus Rashford looks a shell of a goal threat he once was. Failing to take chances causes little room for error at the other end of the pitch, and United have been made to pay.
Losing belief
At the start of the season United conceded goals right after half-time in games against Leeds and Newcastle to tie at 1-1. Then the team motored ahead and won 5-1 and 4-1.
Right now, this team look shell-shocked after conceding equalisers, rather than motivated to go and get a second.
By time the game reached 70 minutes it seemed quite obvious United would not score a winner, with the players getting tense, displaying poor body language, and struggling to create any more clear cut chances.
This is a problem which has been getting worse as the season has gone on, and on the current trajectory, it is worrying for what lies ahead.
When United face better teams, they may go behind instead of taking the lead, and then the players heads will drop even further.
Failing to follow instructions
Ralf Rangnick’s message is not getting across, it seems. The interim manager spoke after the game about how United failed to continue to execute his plan after scoring the first, and then did not stick to their shape after half-time.
He told the club website: “It was a great goal, in all aspects of the goal. But then we stopped doing that. Even at the end of the first half, we didn’t do those things anymore.
“And then in the second half, we also lost a bit of shape in the first 20 minutes.”
The players need to carry out what Rangnick is telling them. It’s not always as simple as that of course, and some fault lies with the manager for not getting his message across properly.
But if United are going to start winning games easily again, a full performance is needed from start to finish, and that requires full concentration.
Lack of leadership
Ah, the Harry Maguire problem. The issue here is two-fold, with Maguire’s defending letting the side down far too frequently, almost giving away a late penalty against the Saints.
The bigger issue with Maguire is his total lack of leadership. United need a player capable of inspiring others, one willing to fight and drag each of his teammates up a level. It’s plainly obvious Maguire is not that man.
In the current squad there are other players who can lead by example, but United lack a leader in the style of great players of the past. A big job is required to find a true leader this summer.
Disappearing depth
United’s problems are exacerbated by a busy fixture list and thinning options up front and in midfield.
In attack United have lost Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, plus Amad, while Edinson Cavani was not fit enough to make the squad.
So if United wanted to drop Ronaldo, only Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga are options, which then mean a lack of options out wide.
In midfield United had only Hannibal as a back-up, with Fred and Nemanja Matic out, while Donny van de Beek is out on loan.
These injury lists could improve, or they could worsen as the weeks go on, putting more pressure on the smaller group of players. This could work out to the team’s benefit if it allows younger players to come through.
Time
An unsolvable problem. Yet, how many Manchester United fans would choose to fast-forward and skip to the summer if given the chance?
Some players may feel that way too if the team is knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
This will be a problem, with the season then turning into a real slog week in and week out for players and fans, with the top four looking less likely.
Being able to rewind time would also give us a prime Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead we are looking at a 37-year-old, who quite frankly, now looks 37, after years of defying his age.
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