After making some world-class signings during the summer, Man United were expected to challenge for the Premier League title this season. But sadly, that has not been the case.
The Old Trafford outfit have drawn two and lost two out of their first eight league matches, their latest defeat coming away from home against Leicester City. Man United lost to the Foxes 4-2 on Saturday and this defeat was a major low point in Solskjaer’s tenure.
United have an attacking lineup which any major club will be envious of but according to Gary Neville, this very strength is proving to be the undoing for Solskjaer.
The pundit said on Sky Sports, as quoted: “They got pulled apart by Everton, pulled apart by Villa, pulled apart by Villarreal, and we’ve seen the team that’s been picked today with Greenwood, Sancho, Ronaldo, Pogba and Fernandes in, five of them, I wouldn’t want to be a defender in that team.
“I love them as players but having them all in the same team, not enough workhorses…Manchester United at this moment in time are imbalanced, and the performances are now getting what they deserve in terms of results, and it needs to change.”
The Man United manager used Pogba and Matic in midfield and the Leicester City game once again showed that Pogba just does not work in a central role.
Would Man United benefit from making a change? 🤔
(h/t @AndrewCesare) pic.twitter.com/OwINfMr8qR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 16, 2021
The Frenchman refuses to track back and do his defensive duties meaning Nemanja Matic is left all alone to stop the counter-attacks and quick breaks.
Bruno Fernandes is the creative midfielder so obviously, he’s not going to track back and given his age, Cristiano Ronaldo presses and tracks back very mindfully.
Ole has received heavy criticism for using Fred and McTominay in a double pivot but the 4-2 defeat was the perfect example of why the Man United boss has been keeping his blind faith in this pair.
Solskjaer is under extreme pressure after the loss to Leicester City and to make matters worse Man United are about the enter the toughest phase of their season. In midweek, the OT outfit take on Atalanta and then they face Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester City one after the other in the Premier League.
