Just 16 days into the new Premier League season, Manchester United’s challenges under Erik ten Hag’s management have resurfaced. A disheartening 3-0 defeat to Liverpool has exposed old vulnerabilities, raising fresh doubts about the Ineos-led revival. The Man Utd vs Liverpool clash highlighted glaring weaknesses in United’s squad, raising questions about their readiness and strategy moving forward.
A Shaky Start for Ten Hag’s United
Despite early optimism, Ten Hag’s Manchester United is already on shaky ground. With two losses in their first three matches, the team’s form going into the international break is far from ideal. The recent defeat to Liverpool was not just a bad day at the office but highlighted serious problems from the front line to the back.
Casemiro’s Struggles and Midfield Woes
Casemiro, once a reliable anchor in midfield, had a particularly rough outing against Liverpool. His errors directly led to two goals by Luis Díaz, showcasing a worrying decline in form. It was telling that United had to substitute the veteran Brazilian at halftime for 20-year-old Toby Collyer, who was making his Premier League debut. This situation raises questions about the team’s planning, especially given the recent transfer window closure. United had all summer to strengthen their midfield but entered the match with only Casemiro as their senior holding midfielder.
New Signings and Missed Opportunities
The arrival of Manuel Ugarte, a new £42 million signing, is meant to provide more stability in midfield. However, due to administrative delays, Ugarte was not available to replace Casemiro against Liverpool. This oversight has led to questions about the club’s transfer strategy and why they were so slow to address such a critical weakness.
Offensive Troubles and Rashford’s Form
Manchester United’s offensive struggles were equally evident. Joshua Zirkzee, making his first start, failed to capitalize on clear opportunities. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford’s form is a growing concern. Left out of the England squad, Rashford has now gone 245 minutes without finding the back of the net. His performance against Liverpool was another disappointment, with little impact despite a few promising moments.
Broader Concerns for United
The team’s overall performance against Liverpool exposed a broader issue of tactical coherence and player form. Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho also struggled to make meaningful contributions, while goalkeeper André Onana’s distribution left much to be desired. For Ten Hag, the key challenge moving forward will be to instill confidence and improve the tactical discipline of his squad, especially with tougher tests ahead.
As Manchester United look to bounce back after the international break, the questions are clear: Can Ten Hag turn things around, and will Casemiro and Rashford find their form in time to help United compete at the highest level? The early signs against Liverpool suggest there is much work to be done.
