An otherwise promising season is in danger of failing due to Manchester United’s present performance. Winners of the Carabao Cup advance to the FA Cup semi-finals and the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
With the Red Devils presently in fifth place going into the final 11 games, the season’s progress will be compromised if Erik ten Hag’s team fails to qualify for the Champions League.
We examine the issues the squad is facing before tonight’s home game against Brentford.
Absent Players
With just one point earned from those contests, Ten Hag’s team has now lost three straight Premier League games.
Following a humiliating 7-0 loss at Anfield, a 0-0 stalemate at home with Southampton, and a 2-0 loss to top-four rivals Newcastle last weekend, respectively.
These outcomes come at a moment when the United manager is missing important midfield players. In addition to Christian Eriksen’s injury, Casemiro has just completed the second game of a four-game suspension.
The 53-year-old will be hoping that when that pair returns in the upcoming weeks, they will be healthy enough to make one last drive for a spot in the Champions League.
United is still in charge of their own fate. They have two games in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham and are only behind them on goal differential.
Weghorst worries
The inability of Manchester United to score goals has been the most concerning aspect of their current three-game slump.
unexpected loan signature in January Since then, Wout Weghorst has made 19 starts for Ten Hag’s squad but has only scored twice.
The 6-foot-6 forward had just ten touches of the game against Newcastle before being replaced in the 62nd minute. Anthony Martial, who took over for him, was much busy, touching the ball 16 times.
After suffering a hip injury, the French international has gradually returned to action. He would undoubtedly bring something new to United’s assault.
Despite being a superb presser, Weghorst only expects to score 0.23 goals per 90 minutes, indicating that he is unable to put himself in a position to pose a danger.
Fatigue
For the majority of the season, Ten Hag’s preferred midfield pairing has been Casemiro and Eriksen, so it makes sense that when either of them is absent, the team will suffer.
The Red Devils don’t have enough talent in that area, so they’ll look for reinforcements in the summer.
An additional consideration might be a goalie who is at ease with the ball at his feet.
The ability of United to play out from the back could also benefit from the addition of a new right-back and center back, while a top-tier striker to cover the void Weghorst has temporarily filled is absolutely necessary.
The fact that United won the cup does not make their job any simpler. There could still be two more finals after the number of games in one tournament has been reached.
Ten Hag may need some luck with fitness as they navigate a demanding fixture schedule because his squad lacks a lot of players in whom he can put his full faith.
