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Manchester United could also be simply six video games into the brand new season, but issues have already reached a disaster level for supervisor Erik ten Hag, with the Pink Devils languishing in mid-table having additionally endured a shedding return to the Champions League on Wednesday night time.
That newest conflict away to Bayern Munich noticed a late flurry of objectives from United seemingly paper over the cracks of what was one other worrying efficiency from the Premier League giants, with the eventual 4-3 scoreline maybe not reflective of the true method of the show.
Regardless of the early optimistic begin from the guests, Ten Hag’s males far too simply folded following Andre Onana’s first-half clanger, having once more been undone far too simply late on with the sport finely poised at 3-2 heading into added time.
Bayern vs Man United – Match Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Chosen stats | Bayern Munich | Manchester United |
Possession | 60% | 40% |
Pictures | 19 | 9 |
Pictures on track | 9 | 4 |
Anticipated objectives | 2.30 | 1.67 |
Large possibilities | 4 | 4 |
Goalkeeper saves | 1 | 5 |
As journalist Samuel Luckhurst famous, the German facet’s fourth aim, particularly, epitomised a facet that’s merely “teeming with weak gamers“, with the Previous Trafford outfit needing a swift response if they’re to keep away from yet one more setback away to Burnley on the weekend.
Fortunately for the previous Ajax man’s sake, the Dutchman could possibly be set to name upon the likes Raphael Varane and Mason Mount for that journey to Turf Moor, with the return of the latter man, particularly, set to permit the hapless Christian Eriksen to be ruthlessly dropped to the bench.
How did Eriksen carry out in opposition to Bayern?
Regardless of having been a key determine following his free switch arrival final summer time – racking up ten assists in complete in 2022/23 – the skilled Dane has seemingly struggled ever since coming back from an damage setback in April, having notably been ‘unable to claim any affect’ through the FA Cup remaining conflict with rivals Manchester Metropolis again in June, as per The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson.
That sluggish nature has continued into the present marketing campaign regardless of the 31-year-old having acquired on the scoresheet within the win over Nottingham Forest, with the previous Brentford man trying notably disappointing in opposition to Thomas Tuchel’s males.
As Luckhurst famous for Manchester Night Information, Eriksen ‘acquired one other chasing from one other midfield‘ as a sign that such limp shows have gotten an everyday prevalence, having additionally been branded a “passenger” by journalist Liam Canning.
Previous to being hooked simply after the hour mark, the £150k-per-week playmaker – who was harshly penalised for handball which led to the house facet’s spot-kick – was unable to win a single duel or present a single key move, with the sport seemingly passing him by as he was run ragged by the energetic Jamal Musiala.
It could not, nonetheless, be far to counsel that the midfielder was the one determine to have upset on the Allianz Area, with Victor Lindelof additionally emphasising simply why the return of the stricken Varane cannot come quickly sufficient.
How did Lindelof carry out in opposition to Bayern?
A part of a backline that has now shipped no less than three objectives in every of the final three video games – the primary time that has occurred to United since 1978 – the Sweden worldwide has definitely not taken his probability within the absence of Varane, having seemed notably shaky within the final two video games.
Towards Brighton and Hove Albion on the weekend, the 29-year-old – who has beforehand been dubbed a “legal responsibility” by journalist Rob Blanchette – arguably ‘seemed misplaced loads of the time‘, as per 90min’s Jude Summerfield, having been unable to stop Danny Welbeck’s opener following Simon Adingra’s pullback.
The previous Benfica man was once more discovered wanting for Bayern’s second aim final night time after deciding to double up on Musiala reasonably than try to interact with goalscorer Gnabry, whereas he additionally allowed Mathys Tel far an excessive amount of time and house to fireside within the decisive fourth aim for the hosts.
As The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell said, the stand-in centre-back “appeared too drained to trace Tel’s run” although the move from Joshua Kimmich was reasonably “apparent”, with it prone to be of actual concern to Ten Hag simply how gettable his backline is at current.
Whereas that could be a results of the woes of these forward of him, Lindelof has not helped himself together with his personal particular person shortcomings, having gained only a solitary duel as a marker of his ‘weak’ nature in opposition to the Bundesliga facet.
How has Lindelof carried out this season?
Since coming in for Varane as a half-time substitute within the win over Forest, the £17m-rated asset has not seemed too dependable in his centre-back berth, having averaged simply 0.6 tackles and interceptions per recreation to this point this time period, whereas additionally successful simply 38% of his complete duels.
As for boss Jose Mourinho beforehand said, the 61-cap worldwide is the kind of defender who could be “bullied” at occasions, whereas the aforementioned Blanchette has additionally famous that “forwards homicide him constantly” as “he places the entire group on edge”.
That will also be seen by the truth that the £120k-per-week dud ranks in simply the underside 34% for tackles made and the underside 31% for interceptions made per 90 amongst his European friends throughout the final twelve months, whereas additionally rating in simply the underside 38% for aerial duels gained.
It’s not that he’s providing a lot on the ball both – regardless of rating within the prime 2% for move completion – because the 6 foot 2 Swede additionally ranks in no less than the underside 50% for each progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.
Varane, against this, seems to be much more adept at carrying the ball out from the again as he ranks within the prime 20% for progressive carries, indicating simply what a loss the World Cup winner is to Ten Hag’s facet.
With the previous Actual Madrid hero in line for a return sooner reasonably than later, nonetheless, the skilled coach can as soon as once more utilise a first-choice partnership involving Varane and Lisandro Martinez, with the goal of making an attempt to shore up this leaky backline.
In reality, on latest proof, if each Lindelof – and Eriksen – proceed to function, then United will merely proceed to get punished.
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