From optimism to skepticism in 45 minutes. What problems does the Hag have to deal with in Manchester?

New coach, new reinforcements, new hopes. Manchester United fans believed that under Erik ten Hagem they would finally return to the top. But then Brighton come and win for the first time in 113 years at Old Trafford. And from optimism to scepticism it took exactly 30 minutes for the Seagulls to score for the first time.

There seems to be no end to the long-running misery. Manchester United fans have not seen a championship title since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been resting for nine years.

Something is simply wrong in the management, the club is being run madly, while having money to spare but spending it inappropriately. For the umpteenth time trying to ride a new coach, it seemed the choice on the Hague one was finally the right one. But the Dutch coach has to deal with big problems right after the first game. What are they?

A bad midfield

The centre of midfield has long been a major weakness for Manchester United. Scott McTominay and Fred just don’t have the quality for a team that wants to challenge for the league title. Donny Van de Beek hasn’t caught on at all again and there’s no one else available for the two shield positions that Hag has.

Even the legendary Red Devils midfielder Roy Keane was unflattering about the duo that got the nickname “McFred”. “It’s a shame. Fred and McTominay are not good enough. With them, United have no chance of getting back to the top,” Keane told Sky Sports.

No wonder the Hag is trying to bring in Frenkie de Jong at all costs. But his transfer is tied up on the fact that Barcelona still owe him big money and the Dutchman also doesn’t want to leave the Champions League venue.

A disgruntled Ronaldo

There is nothing worse than having one of the best players in history dissatisfied. Ronaldo logically has a big ego, but he can give it back to the team with his goals. However, that’s why he demands a key role in the team, he doesn’t compare to any B role.

He wanted to leave in the summer at any cost, he wants to play Champions League. He didn’t tour with the team, he joined the preparation in bad shape according to ten Hag, that’s also why he was left only on the bench with Brighton. On top of that, there was a public exchange between the two players when the latter didn’t like Haga’s early exit from the preparation match.

Ronaldo’s expression on the bench in the first game was so telling. When Brighton scored for the first time, the cameras caught his ‘sour’ expression. Resolving the situation around the star Portuguese will be key for the Hague.

An ineffective attack

There are several problems, but if you want to win games, you have to score goals. It’s just that the Red Devils seem harmless in attack. Marcus Rashford is a shadow of the workhorse that shone in 2018-20, Jadon Sancho is far from the player he was at Borussia Dortmund and his record (3+3) from last season is very poor.

Bruno Fernandes is also not performing like he did when he arrived, Christian Eriksen needs to acclimatise first. If we take away Ronaldo, whose goals can be counted on but whose future at Old Trafford is uncertain, we are left with Anthony Elanga, Tony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho. When you compare that to the Citizens or Liverpool attack, it’s almost laughable.

Source: Manchester United, Premier League