Ian Wright says Manchester United can no longer pin problems on these two players

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Questions are being asked of manager Erik ten Hag after Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace.

Manchester United fans have had many theories over the team’s lack of success in recent years. The common denominator amid the revolving door of managers, has been the constant malignant presence of owners the Glazers.

On the pitch, one frustration throughout Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s spell in charge was the ‘McFred’ midfield of Scott McTominay and Fred, who served a purpose, while being pretty unambitious.

This was phased out by Erik ten Hag last season, permanently in the summer when Fred was sold to Fenerbahce.

Wright questions Manchester United

Speaking in the wake of Manchester United’s defeat to Crystal Palace, pundit Ian Wright questioned what he perceived as a lack of a proper game plan.

He told the Kelly and Wrighty Show: “They can’t blame McTominay and Fred any more, its not them, hey’ve got a different midfield.

“It’s the same outcome. No control of the game. No game management.

“Everything is about getting the ball to Rashford, or Antony, beating someone in a one v one and getting the ball across. That is literally their gameplan, it’s all I can work out, because I don’t know what else they do.

“78 per cent possession and nothing of real note coming of it. They are passing the ball in areas that can’t hurt teams.”

Manchester United midfield is a work in progress

Last season Manchester United changed the midfield to a trio of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen has struggled since returning from his injury last season, especially away from home, and United have brought in Sofyan Amrabat to shore things up.

However, at the weekend, Amrabat was filling in at left-back due to an injury crisis, and the trio of Amrabat, Casemiro and Fernandes are yet to play together.

Eriksen was still left on the bench, with Mason Mount preferred, and the trio of Mount, Fernandes, and Casemiro has not convinced at all this season.

United started this trio against Wolves, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace, winning one and losing two. Wright is correct, that this combination have not shown any indication that together, they are capable of controlling a game, and this was a concern for some fans when the concept of this midfield set up was first envisioned.

At the weekend, against a team sitting deep, Eriksen may actually have been the better option.

As for McTominay, he has had chances this season, and has been poor when he has played. If he had been on the pitch at the weekend as a starter, no doubt, the blame would be partially pinned on him.

Wright raises a valid point, that this is a conundrum Erik ten Hag has to try and solve. The return of Kobbie Mainoo from injury could help.