Manchester United’s journey in the Champions League this season is over. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad lifted the suitcase after falling 2-3 from RB Leipzig and finished third in Group H.
The sweet story of the Red Devils has a bitter end. Had ‘rushed’ in the four Group H matches which were called group hell, they were instead thrown out, pathetic.
Bruno Fernandes cs had a surprising appearance when they was able to win 2-1 over PSG on the first matchday.
In the next match they also win when beating the dark horse RB Leipzig 5-0. The score at that time opened the eyes of critics that Man United could not say much in the Champions League.
Man United lost 1-2 when away to Istanbul Basaksehir. This defeat is actually proof that Man United have a chronic disease in defense.
On the fourth matchday, the Red Devils turned to beat Istanbul 4-1. They seem to prove that they are still capable of being violent.
Until then, Man United led the standings with nine points. Their chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the last 16 are wide open.
Man United only needs one point, aka a draw to secure a top 16 ticket. Entertaining PSG on the fifth matchday they got the opposite result.
Playing at home, Man United’s spurs disappeared. Instead of winning or at least drawing, they are helpless. Final score 1-3 made them abdicate to second place because they lost head to head from PSG.
The chance to qualify was actually opened on the last matchday when they flew to Germany to face Leipzig, the team they beat 5-0 earlier.
At the Red Bull Arena Stadium, Marcus Rashford and colleagues performed anticlimax. There wasn’t that effectiveness on the pitch, especially in the second half.
Even in the first 12 minutes, David De Gea’s goal was conceded twice after Angelino and Amadou Haidara were able to take advantage of Man United defenders’ negligence.
Justin Kluivert then drove Leipzig 3-0 away in the 62nd minute. The smells of carnage revenge seemed to be happening. Luckily Leipzig didn’t add a goal.
Meanwhile, Man United, after making a number of substitutions, managed to reduce the score to 2-3 through Fernandes’ penalty and Paul Pogba’s header.
The score did not change until the end, ending Man United’s journey in the Champions League.
Solskjaer’s capacity in the Man United managerial seat was actually questionable at the start of this season, even though he was able to bring his team to finish third in the 2019/2020 Premier League standings.
At the start of this season, Solskjaer couldn’t make Man United appear consistently. Man United is lackluster in the Premier League, but steady in the Champions League.
Their position in the Premier League standings ups and downs. Even Man United had a little more time to enter the relegation zone.
They are currently in 6th place with 19 points. Of the 10 matches, Man United won six, drew one and lost three.
One thing that made Man United’s appearance inconsistent was seen in the formation. Solskjaer often uses different formations.
The Norwegian coach often uses 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2. But not infrequently use 3-4-1-2 when facing teams with attacking characters.
The lackluster formation made the players feel awkward. Take, for example, when you lost to Leipzig earlier in the day.
Man United use 3-4-1-2. With three defenders and two full-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles are expected to strike a balance in defense. Moreover, there are two anchors Nemanja Matic and McTominay.
Just look at the three goals that lodged in De Gea’s goal, all starting from the bait of Leipzig players on the right and left of Man United’s defense.
The crosses that are directed into the penalty box can not be anticipated properly by Harry Maguire cs. Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka and Telles did not perform well on the wings.
Solskjaer also did not play some of the players who should have played such as Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek, and Eric Bailly.
Pogba and Van de Beek were only deployed when Man United were 0-2 behind. It’s a bit late, because Pogba, for example, can be played from the early minutes.
Pogba, who has been a little sluggish in recent matches, but can actually do a lot in midfield. He can defend well, but is also good at managing attacks.
It was seen when Pogba entered in the second half immediately had an impact. He scored Man United’s second goal to reduce the score 2-3.
Despite playing for about 29 minutes, Pogba was able to perform well. Apart from scoring goals, he also succeeded in making two key passes. He also made 22 passes with 17 of them accurate during play from the 61st minute.
A total of 29 times Pogba touched the ball. Where he also won twice in area duels, one of which led to goals.
In fact, if Pogba had been played from the start, maybe the game could have been different. Pogba is the type of player who is able to balance the back and front lines.
There is no turning back. Man United must keep going for the rest of this season.
As for Solskjaer, his time is up. With the ‘mediocre’ quality he shows, it is time for ‘Baby Face Assassin’ to be manly to declare his retreat and leave Old Trafford.
But if he don’t want to, Man United’s management needs to take steps to fire and open vacancies for the coaching seat.
