Erik ten Hag has lifted the cloud of gloom at Manchester United which engulfed the club at the end of last season.
The new Red Devils manager has lifted the players off the floor and given them new direction, and new confidence, and the 2022/23 season has the potential to be a successful and much more enjoyable campaign.
There’s also a risk, as we have seen before, that pre-season results won’t carry over into the season, and big issues could derail the team if they remain unresolved.
Here is a look at three areas United could come unstuck, despite all the positives Ten Hag is bringing to the side…
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No striker depth
United are an Anthony Martial injury away from a striker crisis. To start the season, this is not a good situation to be in, and its an unthinkable one considering United’s options last season, where the Frenchman was an afterthought.
Martial has done superbly this season to get his United career back on track. With three goals in four games, he looks to be sharp, motivated, and is bringing the best out of players around him.
But there’s no back-up. Cristiano Ronaldo appears to want out, and United have nobody to provide cover for Anthony Martial.
In a condensed season which sees United play 10 matches in October, the club need options. At least two more strikers are required, although we would settle for one at this point.
Not enough midfield improvement
United’s midfield strategy has been ‘Frenkie de Jong or bust’, and currently, the latter appears like it could be very likely.
With Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic leaving the club, United have lost two first team options, replaced by James Garner and Christian Eriksen.
That may be enough to stand still, but United need to improve, and make up the gap with the league’s top teams. More investment is required.
Erik ten Hag’s coaching can only cover up so much in terms of talent deficiency. United still require a defensive midfielder, and this position cannot be allowed to go unaddressed again.
Goalkeeper frailty
For all the positives David de Gea brings to Manchester United, his frailties defending crosses still blights him more than a decade since he signed for the club.
He was exposed against Aston Villa in pre-season, and clubs are going to target him this season, again. There isn’t much United can do about this in the short-term, other than simply try to make De Gea better.
His expensive contract runs out at the end of the season, and despite his desire to stay long-term, United can release the goalkeeper if Ten Hag wants to do so.
In the meantime, United may have to weather the storm and hope De Gea’s weaknesses can be fixed.
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