Little Change At Manchester United

Manchester United meets Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday as the rivals face off in a second consecutive trophy match after the two clubs met at Wembley for the FA Cup final in May. Surprisingly, despite some new ownership and front office transition, there is little noticeable change on the pitch for a Manchester United side which delivered the worst Premier League performance in its history last season. Many thought a makeover was called for beginning with a change of manager. Eric ten Hag, however, remains on the touchline after an uncomfortable post season period where it appeared the club’s INEOS ownership group fruitlessly searched for a suitable replacement. Instead, they gave ten Hag two more years to straighten out the iconic club after a calamitous second season which saw the Red Devils place eighth in the table and suffer their most defeats in 34 years. Supporter, and perhaps ownership, misgivings with ten Hag were perhaps softened by an FA Cup win over rival Manchester City which qualified the Red Devils for the Europa League this season. It was ten Hag’s second trophy in as many seasons with the club, such successes standing in stark contrast to what is generally perceived as a poor run as Manchester United Manger.

The club’s playing style is often chaotic and disorganized, bearing little resemblance to the finely tuned machine that was Ajax during ten Hag’s time there. Problems in midfield and defense have prevented the team form fully utilizing the talents of goalkeeper Andre Onana, acquired for his skill in distribution. Onana instead was under siege all last season, leading the league with 149 saves. Last season’s results were shocking for Manchester United supporters who saw their club post a negative goal differential in falling to its lowest ever finish in the Premier League table.

In fairness to ten Hag, however, his already thin roster was decimated by injuries last season. It can be debated how much the manager is responsible for a flawed transfer policy, but the fact remains that ten Hag does not have the material to work with to truly contend. Striker Rasmus Hojlund looks to have potential but is likely not ready for a starring role at such a big club and also exhibits troubling muscle injuries for one so young. Hojlund is out the first six weeks with a hamstring issue. Marcus Rashford has never been comfortable at striker and, in any event, was terrible last season. Long time disappointment Anthony Martial is finally gone. Joshua Zirkzee, acquired from Seri A Bologna this summer, is known more for creating chances for others but it is unknown who those others might be. Jadon Sancho is back after being exiled for his clashes with ten Hag but who knows how long a truce might endure between the two. Antony, a ten Hag player at Ajax, has been nothing but a bust in the Premier League. More positively, ten Hag will hope that 20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, fresh off a Copa America championship with Argentina, can build on his seven goals for last season. Midfielder Bruno Fernandes led the Red Devils in both goals and assists last season and remains a splendidly creative plyer. His gunslinging style of play, however, does not help in a midfield which allows large spaces for an opponent to exploit. Transfers to help bolster the midfield in recent seasons have not proved out. Misfires and underperformers include Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat.

A beacon of hope in a grim midfield is youngster Kobie Mainoo whose composure with the ball helped him work his way into both the Manchester United and England lineups last season. The 19-year-old Mainoo is a potential star if he can improve on his defensive positioning and bulk up a bit as he can sometimes be bullied off the ball. In any event, the young man needs a new partner in front of the back line as the aging Casemiro is taken advantage of far too often by young attackers. Hard working yet underwhelming academy graduate Scott McTominay is the subject of transfer talk as he enters the final year of his contract. The midfield instability is unfortunately exacerbated by a worrisome back line. Harry Maguire’s wages continue to keep other clubs at arm’s length despite a desire by Manchester United to move on from its one-time captain. Maguire’s one time partner in the center of defense, Raphael Varane, has departed for Serie A. Rumors are that the club would also like to cut ties with center back Victor Lindelof.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Jonny Evans looks to stay in a clear sign of how bare the cupboard is. The front office tried to bring in reinforcement in the form of Lille defender Leny Yoro. The center back, however, immediately injured himself this preseason and is out for three months. Returning from injury is Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine’s absence made supporters’ hearts grow fonder for the Argentine Copa winner as the Red Devil defense struggled last season. Left back Luke Shaw should also return from an injury ravaged season. Shockingly, after a late run out with England at the European Championship, Shaw is again on the injury list for this weekend’s Community Shield. His backup, Tyrell Malacia is out for months with a knee injury, causing some real concern on the left of the defense. Right fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, is supposedly being shopped, the club never having been satisfied with the offensive contributions of the defensive specialist. Talks with West Ham have been off and on for the former Crystal Palace defender. New Sporting Director Dan Ashworth may yet help ten Hag with some new additions. If not, the Dutch manager will, rightly or wrongly, once again become the focus of supporters’ angst.