Manchester United have had a rollercoaster season in 2019/20. A very slow one, but a rollercoaster nonetheless. Now at the halfway stage, it feels almost impossible to predict how this team will finish the campaign, with performances so far flitting between immensely impressive and immensely frustrating from one week to the next.
Here's a breakdown of the season so far and what the rest of the campaign might hold...
League Performance
Overall, not great.
United have bizarrely enjoyed great success against the current top five, beating four of them and being the only club so far this season to take any points off Liverpool. And yet, the same team has struggled against the rest of the league, beating only three of the sides below them.
The problem is not only consistency from one game to the next, but United lack the ability to break down well organised defences and are much more dangerous when playing with less possession against stronger sides and attacking on the counter.
Cup Performance
Despite struggling against Rochdale in the early round, United have done well in the Carabao Cup and will play a two-legged semi-final against Manchester City in January.
The quarter-final tie against Colchester proved to be fairly routine in the end, but what stands out is the impressive win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that was secured by a truly stunning Cristiano Ronaldo-esque free-kick from Marcus Rashford.
Continental Performance
United’s Europa League campaign was hardly the most thrilling affair in September and October, but back-to-back wins over FK Partizan sewed up knockout qualification with two games to spare. That made way for the largely teenage squad that was then sent to freezing Kazakhstan.
United finished off the group stage in style with a 4-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar to secure top spot in the group and a more favourable knockout tie. They will face Club Brugge in February.
18-year-old Mason Greenwood has been a breakout star in Europe, scoring four of his eight first-team goals this season in the competition.
Biggest Strength
As already mentioned, the big games are where United have thrived. That started with a clinical 4-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day of the season and has been followed up by wins over Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester City, the latter pair within days of each other this month.
United do have some of the most vibrant and exciting attacking talents in the league in Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood. A fully fit Paul Pogba should be able to improve what has been a lack of creativity in tighter games.
Biggest Weakness
United simply haven’t been able to rack up what should be routine wins against weaker teams. As such, it has almost become a given that any side who sits deep and defends in an organised manner will get at least something against this United side.
It was notable that Newcastle rather dug their own grave with defensive errors and accordingly paid the price in Boxing Day’s 4-1 win. United have shown that they can punish sloppiness, but they have to be able to create those openings themselves on a much more regular basis.
Areas to Address in January
United have been heavily linked with Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Haaland and appear to be the favourites in the chase for the Norwegian teenager ahead of the January transfer window.
But more than additional quality up front, United need help in midfield. Paul Pogba’s injury absence has shown a real lack of depth in central areas, particularly when Andreas Pereira had to fill in for Scott McTominay against Sheffield United and Aston Villa.
United lack creativity in a ‘number 10’ position, but strengthening deeper should allow Pogba to fill that role further forward, which better plays to his best attributes.
The squad has also lacked leadership for most of the season, so an experienced head to mentor the many young talents would also be advantageous, even if it is someone who might end up being more of a dressing room voice than a regular starter.
Best Player
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been excellent at times, but neither has been at that level consistently enough to outshine Scott McTominay.
Once something of a scapegoat as recently as last season, McTominay has made himself undroppable in 2019/20. He embodies the kind of passion and drive that Solskjaer wants to spread throughout the squad and has improved as his confidence has grown.
Predicted Finishes
A domestic cup is certainly within United’s grasp if they can repeat their recent performance (twice) against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final. Consistency may hinder this season’s top four hopes, while this United isn’t as mentally strong as the side that won the Europa League in 2017. If anything, United fans have learned not expect good results.
Premier League: 5th
Carabao Cup: Winners
FA Cup: Quarter-Finals
Europa League: Quarter-Finals
Grade
Must do better. This is not a United squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title, but failure to finish in the top four is still an underachievement given the quality in the side.
The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all hit and miss this season, so a degree of consistency makes top four an achievable target. But that may be easier said than done.
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Source : 90min