The more things change, the more they stay the same. That certainly appeared to be the case as Liverpool claimed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday. These are two clubs that, in different ways, went through a summer overhaul. The match played between the rivals at Old Trafford felt extremely familiar.
On the basis of Sunday’s match, Manchester United have done nothing to close the gap on Liverpool. Erik ten Hag insisted this season would be different after the Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League table last term, but United have just four points from their opening three fixtures and are suffering from many of the same old problems.
Liverpool swarmed Manchester United in the middle of the pitch. Casemiro coughed up the ball inside his own half for both of Liverpool’s first two goals while attackers like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes failed to make an impact. In and out of possession, ten Hag’s team were undercooked.
This summer saw several new players arrive at Old Trafford. Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro were signed to bolster Manchester United’s defensive line with Noussair Mazraoui joining from Bayern Munich to play at right back. De Ligt and Mazraoui both started against Liverpool, but were overwhelmed for periods of the match.
Joshua Zirkzee started up front, but lacked the hold-up play to bring other attacks into the game. He was barely involved. Meanwhile, Manuel Ugarte watched from the stands after Manchester United ran out of time to register him following the Uruguayan’s transfer deadline day switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
“It is not like I am Harry Potter,” ten Hag said after the defeat to Liverpool. “You have to acknowledge that. For three players it was their first start of the season. Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute – he needs to build his fitness. Then we have to build him into the team. I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month. That is the same for a lot of players.”
For the last two seasons, ten Hag has been able to fall back on the argument that his team was not truly his team. It has taken the Dutchman a long time to mould Manchester United in his own image, but this excuse no longer holds water. Indeed, ten Hag signed six of the 11 players that started against Liverpool while two came through the academy under his stewardship. This is his team.
Ten Hag might be right that Manchester United’s new players require time to be integrated into the set-up at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils’ lack of identity is more concerning. What sort of soccer does ten Hag want United to play? As the Dutchman embarks on his third season in charge, nobody is any clearer.
“Do we still believe in Erik? Absolutely,” Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada said when asked about ten Hag’s job security. “We think Erik is the right coach for us and we’re fully backing him.” Many, however, believe United simply held on to ten Hag because they couldn’t find a better option who was available.
The September international break comes at the right time for ten Hag and Manchester United. The new season is only three games old, but the Dutchman and his players need to reset. Ten Hag must use this time to consider his approach and return after the international break with a clearer vision for his team.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are intent on restoring Manchester United as a force at the elite level of English and European soccer, but things might get worse at the club before they get better. Sunday’s damaging defeat to Liverpool proved that. This summer saw a lot of change at Old Trafford. Even still, there might not have been enough change.
