Manchester United have left at least one rival side shocked this season at just how easy it was to spot their weaknesses.
Erik ten Hag has overseen a torrid campaign at Old Trafford which could end without European football and with the Dutchman given his marching orders as new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe overhauls operations. United’s fragility has been apparent all season, with the team conceding a string of late goals and offering up an alarming amount of chances.
An analyst for a rival Premier League has offered an intriguing insight into playing against United and how a visiting team made their game plan work with surprising ease during a match at Old Trafford. Talking anonymously to The Athletic, the analysis divulged: “It was quite easy to see that they were better with the ball than without it.
“With their pressing, if they weren’t able to win the ball high in the first couple of passes, they would be quite passive and not as comfortable in the low or medium block. We knew that if we were patient and we were good on the ball, that we could have a good amount of ball possession."
Still, the amount of time and space the visitors on that occasion were afforded came as a surprise. They added: “The thing that we were surprised by the most was actually how much time and space that we were able to get at Old Trafford – that we were able to get out of the pressure so much.”
With Newcastle and Chelsea on the up, United have dropped to eighth, meaning the club could embarrassingly miss out on a place in Europe via the league. They could qualify for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, although it would be a major surprise if they beat neighbours Manchester City in the final.
“Of course it’s important but we have two opportunities,” Ten Hag said ahead of his side’s trip to Crystal Palace on Monday. “There is one in the league and one in the FA Cup final.”
Asked about the difference qualifying for Europa League compared to the Conference League would make, the United boss said: “Definitely, it will have an impact on the budget. But I’m sure Manchester United is a very attractive team and club to play for."
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