Seven problems Solskjaer needs to solve at Manchester United

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The three losses which contributed to Manchester United’s group stage elimination laid bare this team’s flaws.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has work to do, and while some fans continue to call for his head, he needs to try to put several issues right.

Here is a look at six problems Solskjaer needs to solve to get United performing at a higher level…

Pick a formation

It has previously been a strength of Solskjaer’s United to adapt to be able to play a 4-2-3-1, 3-4-1-2 or 4-4-2 based on the opponent or players available.

Lately though there has been too much chopping and changing, with United using all three formations during the six-game Champions League group stage stretch.

United need to find some consistency. That is tricky in terms of team selection with a relentless schedule, so the next best thing is to have a regular formation.

Solskjaer needs to make a decision, probably between one of the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2, and stick with it.

Goalkeeper

David de Gea may no longer be Manchester United’s best goalkeeper.

He was poor in defeats at home to PSG and away at RB Leipzig and Dean Henderson is waiting for a run of games.

Henderson has played very well when called upon, and a switch feels both inevitable and necessary.

Solskjaer needs to be bold and make the England international his number one.

Defensive errors

United’s Champions League campaign will be remembered for the awful defensive error against Istanbul Basaksehir.

But there was sloppy play too for all three of Leipzig’s goals last night, and it is not good enough.

To an extent, this can be attributed to both of the previous two issues; changing formations and in part, poor communication with the goalkeeper for Leipzig’s third.

The real issue may be personnel. Are Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof really the pinnacle of a defensive partnership for United? The answer to this is no.

United must look to the transfer market next summer to bring in a new defender to give us a greater edge and cut out the mistakes.

No wingers

There is no doubt that United’s lop-sided attacking options makes team selection more difficult for Solskjaer. Currently, Dan James is the only first team winger available.

This restricts the way United attack, and should have been addressed in one of the three transfer windows Solskjaer has had as permanent manager. Perhaps it will be in January?

United do have Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo coming through and they could play a part in 2021, especially in the Europa League.

It would be a real bonus if they are. At times it feels like there is a gaping hole on the right wing, and United need a player who can take people on and cause problems.

Paul Pogba

Mino Raiola’s outburst shone light on the situation we all suspected to be true; Paul Pogba has no intention of signing a new contract.

So United have a decision to make, either this coming January or next summer he will need to be sold.

Really it will be preferable to resolve the situation quickly if possible, and the money gained can be put towards new additions.

At worst this situation will fester and affect the rest of the squad negatively. United need players all pushing in the same direction.

Matic has taken a step back

Money gained from selling Pogba should be put towards signing a new defensive midfielder.

Nemanja Matic has taken a big step back this season. He simply does not appear to offer the defensive protection he did at times a year ago.

He was anonymous in Leipzig and United need a player who can help improve this team.

One of the reasons United can’t get the midfield balance right is the way Matic has struggled for form.

Chance conversion

If you had said prior to the game that Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood both had five shots each, you would assume or hope they would score at least one goal.

Instead both players landed just two shots on target each. United lacked a cutting edge.

Anthony Martial’s miss against PSG is still haunting. United have been too wasteful this season, with Greenwood uncharacteristically so, while Rashford has been missing easy chances all season.

Solskjaer needs his young forwards to improve, because at the highest level, missed chances come back to haunt you.

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