MANCHESTER UNITED’S ROCKY START TO 24/24: SETBACKS, STRUGGLES, SOLUTIONS
Manchester United fans had reason to celebrate after Erik ten Hag's first season at the club, with a solid 3rd-place finish in the league, a Europa League quarter-final run, and an FA Cup final appearance, not to mention securing their first trophy since 2017. Expectations for the following season were heightened with the high-profile arrivals of Mason Mount, André Onana, and £80 million striker Rasmus Højlund. Yet, injuries quickly piled up, forcing Ten Hag into difficult decisions, including trying out 14 different center-back pairings. Doubts began to creep in about his ability to steer United forward. Still, a crucial FA Cup victory over Manchester City brought silverware and helped secure his job, giving him another chance to take charge in season three.
Manchester United team celebrations : 2024 The FA
To make improvements from last season, Manchester United had one of the most eventful summers in the Premier League. Not only did they secure a host of marquee players, but they also restructured the club's leadership, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 25% stake and took control of the club's sporting operations from the Glazers. With the help of new sporting director Dan Ashworth, Ten Hag secured five key signings. Among them, 18-year-old Leny Yoro from France shows immense potential. Joshua Zirkzee offers solid competition for Højlund in the No. 9 position. Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are already proving vital to Ten Hag's plans. The final piece of the puzzle was the late-window acquisition of £50 million CDM Manuel Ugarte from PSG.
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Manchester United's shaky start to the season has left fans questioning Erik ten Hag's leadership. With just 3 points from a possible 9 and back-to-back defeats, including an embarrassing home loss to Liverpool, concerns are mounting. Marcus Rashford, a key player last season, has struggled to make an impact, failing to register a shot on target in the last three games, raising questions about his positioning and involvement in the attack. His inability to provide a consistent threat up front has left the team struggling for creativity in the final third. Similarly, Casemiro’s form has continued to dip, with an abysmal showing against Liverpool, where he was at fault for two of Luiz Diaz’s goals. Reports have even surfaced suggesting that Casemiro may be in talks with other clubs about a potential loan move away from Old Trafford. His inconsistency has left a gap in midfield, putting further pressure on Ten Hag.
While Manchester United's early-season struggles have sparked concerns, promising solutions could help turn things around. One standout is Amad Diallo, who, at just 22, had an impressive preseason, scoring two goals in 3 games. His creativity and sharpness make him the best option for the starting spot on the right wing, providing much-needed flair to a stagnant attack.
Another significant boost comes with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte from PSG. After Casemiro's poor showing against Liverpool, Ugarte looks like the perfect replacement. Known for his defensive work, Ugarte topped the charts for most tackles in both the 2022/23 Primeira Liga (98) and 2023/24 Ligue 1 (121), showcasing his ability to win back possession and anchor the midfield. His defensive prowess could restore the team's stability and give United the foundation needed to build a more cohesive game plan, reassuring fans about the team's defensive strength. With the addition of Amad Diallo's attacking creativity and Manuel Ugarte's midfield strength, Ten Hag has the tools to steer the team back on course. Their potential contributions should give fans a sense of hope and optimism about the team's future.
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Despite a rough start, Manchester United’s season still has promise. New signings like Manuel Ugarte can bring much-needed stability, while talents like Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho offer the creativity and energy to revive the attack. However, a true turnaround depends on key players like Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, and Mason Mount stepping up and rediscovering their best form. Erik ten Hag must also tweak his tactics to better utilize the squad’s strengths. While early performances have been underwhelming, there is still time for United to find cohesion, recover, and push for success if they make the right adjustments.
