The manner in which United was defeated was the thing that worried fans the most. City appeared to be in perfect control for the majority of the game, and they took the lead with a questionable penalty kick from Erling Haaland in the first half.
Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount, and Antony are just some of the major United players that have been struggling with their form this season. None of these players have scored or assisted on a goal in any competition they have participated in. Marcus Rashford, who scored 30 goals in all competitions the previous season, has only been able to convert 2.3% of his shots into a goal in the Premier League this season.
The seven defeats that United has suffered in all competitions this season are not only the result of poor play on the field. Injuries to important players have continued to plague the squad, and defensive concerns have been underscored by the fact that Victor Lindelof has been forced to play at left back despite not being suited up for the position.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia won’t be available for Erik ten Hag’s team’s Carabao Cup fourth-round matchup against Newcastle, so the Dutch coach will have to make due without them. Following a muscular injury that he sustained in August, Shaw is anticipated to return in late November, and Malacia is on track for a similar schedule for his rehabilitation from his own injury.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also out with an injury to his hamstring, and despite the fact that he is getting closer to making a comeback, he won’t be able to play on Wednesday night to relieve Diogo Dalot of his duties.
The long-term foot injury suffered by Lisandro Martinez is another source of concern for the central defense unit.
Martinez’s capabilities were called into question in the early going of the previous season; nonetheless, he was able to demonstrate his talent during Ten Hag’s first productive year as head coach.
As a result of Ten Hag’s assertion that Raphael Varane’s exclusion from the starting eleven was a strategic decision, Manchester United’s defensive strategy against City consisted of relying on Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans. It is not clear whether this was the case, which is particularly concerning given Varane’s history of suffering from injuries.
Casemiro is also dealing with an ankle issue and is not in good enough shape to start in the middle of the field.
Because of this, Sofyan Amrabat, the only midfielder with a naturally defensive mindset that Ten Hag has at his disposal, will continue to play for a United side that is having trouble finding its confidence.
On Wednesday, rather than holding a news conference, Ten Hag chose to put his attention only on his workout. He has high hopes that the additional time spent on the practice field would help his team get ready to face an Eddie Howe-led Newcastle team that has been on a goal-scoring tear recently.
