If you consider Manchester United’s (MU) performance in the first four matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season, it could be said that MU’s condition is unstable. Two losses and two wins. MU lost to strong teams such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Then, MU won with teams that are in the mediocre category for the context of the Premier League, namely Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
In fact, if you look at when MU played against these two mediocre teams, MU’s performance was also not convincing. Against Shifield United, MU only narrowly won 1-0 and the goal came from chaos in front of the opponent’s goal. Against Nottingham Forest, MU had to overcome a two-goal deficit to win 3-2.
Therefore, of the four matches that have been played, MU is still in an unstable condition. This instability runs counter to MU’s spending in the player transfer market, where MU spent a lot of money to buy three players, namely Rasmus Hojlund (75 million euros), Mason Mount (64.20 million euros), and Andre Onana (52.50 million euros). According to news from Transfermarkr.com, MU spent 206.70 million euros buying players this season. In contrast, the club nicknamed the Red Devils only sold players for 55.34 million euros.
MU’s purchases this season, indeed, show the club’s support for the way coach Erik Ten Hag works. Ten Hag’s achievements in the first season, including winning the Carabao Cup trophy, could be a reference for the club providing freedom to buy players, even at high prices.
However, from the four matches that have taken place, this expenditure appears to be in vain. Indeed, it would be too much to judge the team’s performance from just four matches. However, Ten Hag has certainly been at MU for one season and already has a patented strategy and work system. Players bought this season come to add to or strengthen the existing squad. However, in reality, Ten Hag is still stuck with the same squad last season when he played against Arsenal last week, except for the goalkeeper position, Andre Onana, who was bought from Inter Milan.
In addition, the players who arrived at the start of the season have not yet shown their quality. Mason Mount, who was bought from Chelsea, was played regularly. However, the England national team midfielder is dealing with injuries. Likewise with defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. Hojlund, who had just returned from injury, only entered in the second half. Players who have been compared to Erling Haaland definitely need time to adapt to MU and the English football climate.
Furthermore, MU’s operational targets in the transfer market are not running smoothly. Instead of opening the door to let some players leave, it didn’t work out. The reason is, MU did not achieve its target of releasing several players such as Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Antony Martial.
In fact, these players are already on the sales list. The reason is not because their contribution is minimal, but also because they avoid stacking players in the same position.
For example, because of failing to sell McTominay, Man United has several midfielders because in the transfer market they managed to bring in Mount and Sofyan Amrabat. So, McTominay could end up being one of the substitutes on the bench this season if he doesn’t immediately improve his performance. With MU’s current condition, Ten Hag seems to be in a dilemma position. On the one hand, Ten Hag has to surrender to the condition of the existing squad because several players are injured and several new players definitely need an adaptation process.
On the other hand, Ten Hag is also facing the club’s demands. The club’s patience definitely has limits. Moreover, during Ten Hag’s tenure the club has poured large amounts of money into buying new players.
When a club’s performance is unconvincing, the end result is the termination of the employment relationship. Of course, the Glazer family, who own the club, hopes that the team’s performance will immediately improve. It’s no secret that the Glazer family often receives criticism from supporters. The failure to sell the club, which was warm to another party, was a blow to supporters.
In order to reduce supporters’ disappointment, club owners must give their best, including giving new players a certain amount of money. The club owner’s steps have been realized. The final job is in Ten Hag’s hands to mix the players so they can run a convincing game flow. At the start of this season, Ten Hag seemed to be in a dilemma. This dilemma condition seems to complement the imbalance and instability of MU’s performance on the gridiron.
Not to mention, Ten Hag clashed with Jadon Sancho. As soon as Sancho was not included in the match against Arsenal, a war of words broke out between the two parties. This situation must be de-escalated so that the imbalance in team performance is muddied by the relationship between the coach and players. The hope is that after the international break, MU has again corrected the imbalance that temporarily hit at the start of this season. One way is to improve the team’s performance and hope that injured players can return.
ASL
