Man United took on Burnley in the Premier League on Tuesday and things have gotten so much worse for United that the team who are sitting at the bottom of the table have managed to hold them to a draw.
The 1-1 draw means United have once again slipped out of the top-four and to make matters worse, teams like Arsenal and Spurs could move above them on the table if they manage to win their games in hand.
The Old Trafford played some brilliant football in the first half of the match but they looked clueless during the second 45 minutes. Burnley were all over them after the break and if the 20th placed side can rattle Manchester United then their next opponent, Southampton have a much better chance at picking up all three points when they face Rangnick’s side during the weekend. The Saints have suffered only one loss in the previous five outings.
The Red Devils welcome the Saints at Old Trafford on Saturday and before they take the field, Ralf Rangnick needs to sort out a few important issues or else they might slump to yet another defeat.
A tale of two halves:
Against Middlesbrough and then against Burnley, Man United played like proper English giants in the first half. In both these games, they should have scored at least two or three goals each in the first 45 minutes and killed off the competition.
We've had 70 shots in our last three games and we've scored three goals. That is absolutely appalling.
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) February 8, 2022
But all they managed was a 1-0 lead in both the games and this helped Boro and Burnley remain in the mix. And when Man United came out of the dugout for the second half, they looked completely out of ideas.
Boro and Burnley rattled United’s cage and both of them were the better side after the break.
Ralf Rangnick needs to solve this issue as soon as possible since his side are dropping unnecessary points and this will eventually come back to bite them towards the end of the season. We can understand these players do not have the stamina to play a high-intensity game for the full 90 minutes but in order to evade hiccups, Ronaldo and co need to be clinical and kill-off games in the first 45 minutes itself.
Use Paul Pogba or Fred in the Man United midfield?
In their previous two games, Ralf Rangnick has gone with a single defensive midfield pivot meaning Paul Pogba has returned to the side. United have suffered setbacks in both these matches and while Pogba has not been the problem but his selection has clearly caused an imbalance.
Pogba’s selection means United have become attack heavy – something which would have been fine if the players were finishing off their chances. But with a 1-0 lead, the combination of Fred and McTominay are ideal to sit back in a double pivot and defend that lead.
Who controls territory in the Premier League? pic.twitter.com/RU0JNzL0eM
— John Muller (@johnspacemuller) February 8, 2022
So the sensible thing to do will be to use Paul Pogba in the first half and if United cannot score more than one or two goals then without hesitation, Fred should be brought in alongside McTominay.
Fred is currently out with COVID so there’s a chance he could miss the Southampton game as well. If that’s the case then Rangnick has no other option but to once again use the midfield trio of McTominay, Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
Use Ronaldo or Cavani up front?
United needed to play a high press game vs Burnley which is why Ronaldo started on the bench, as claimed by Ralf Rangnick but Edinson Cavani did nothing to justify his selection one bit on Tuesday night.
Was Zlatan at 36 a better signing for Man United than Ronaldo at 36? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/IHwf44HDuZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 8, 2022
Yet, CR7 has hit a dry patch but the Portuguese has the ability to pull chances out of thin air and that’s exactly what Manchester United need right now. There’s no doubt Ralf Rangnick is going to revert his selection decision during the weekend and bring Ronaldo back into the side.
Cavani hasn’t been able to have the same impact which he had last season and right now, he’s best suited to come on as an impact sub. Ronaldo’s selection does force United to play a slower game but at this moment, the manager has to suppress his tactical desires and focus on picking up wins.
Anything other than a win vs Southampton could very well kill their hopes of finishing in the top-four, something which will impact them financially as well as in the transfer market during the summer.
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Stats courtesy Fotmob.
