It seems United may need all the help they can get this coming season. In a massive upset the newly promoted Hull city has stunned the visitors to a 2-0 defeat. The record premier league winners were nowhere near the levels of performance they displayed last season. Michael Carrick needs more signings and some of his old guard to get back to their absolute best, starting with Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder added his name to the record books last season with the most number of Premier League assists in a single season. But the league opener this year was an outing to forget, much like the World Cup campaign. The crosses and long balls were either undercooked or lacked guile when there was enough power. The pre-season games saw the United captain in the peak of his powers, but when it came to start the season on a high something went wrong. As a united fan, I hope he gets his bearings in order as I can’t imagine a future of this club without that man in the middle.
The shocking defeat came just hours after the club had everything agreed with Brighton for the transfer of Carlos Baleba. The 22-year old was a long standing transfer target for the Red Devils, with buzz building up for a couple of seasons. Despite his recent signing, the youngster is injured; a knock he picked up in the preseason and is expected to be available only in September.
The midfield did well for what they are worth as Tielemans and Andrey Santos anchored the center of the pitch and created a few creative opportunities. But apart from the creative side, supporting the defenders needs to improve big time. Despite a massive chunk of possession and many touches in the opposition box the final touch was missing. The wingers Rashford needs more work and he was substituted in after a bad showPatrick Dorgu. Mbuemo on the right was the one who did get some great chances but failed to convert, after he moved to the center like last season during the course of the game.
We need a good left winger and a full back. Mazraoui can cover the right wing with Dalot as support in the bench, but on the left Shaw can do so little. We need to have options there. Also on the left advanced areas, Rashford and Dorgu needs to rise up to the occasion especially the former, who came back from a successful season on loan at Barcelona.
United’s first home game of the season is on 30th August, with yet another promoted team in the form of Ipswich Town.