Man United’s problems that must be fixed for them to be fit for top four race
Same scenario, same scoreline, and David de Gea. Nobody could blame Manchester United’s goalkeeper for Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty, but this latest gaffe will be.
At least four times this season, De Gea has fumbled balls that resulted in goals.
In the last four weeks, he contributed to United’s elimination from the Europa League, and his domestic form could keep them in the tournament next season.
At the final whistle, Victor Lindelof hesitantly shook palms with De Gea. Lukasz Fabianski encircled him with compassion.
De Gea was the player most distant from the opposite end. Numerous survivors were visibly apoplectic.
When the ball slipped through De Gea’s palms, numerous press box attendants raised their hands to their heads. Some in disbelief and others out of compassion.
Some West Ham supporters exhaled after Said Benrahma touched the ball, lamenting its apparent innocuity.
The goal was shown multiple times on the video boards at the London Stadium, so De Gea had to endure the humiliating debut of his gaffe in front of a sold-out crowd.
This was yet another egregious error in a season full of them. After Brentford, Everton, and Sevilla comes West Ham.
The regression of De Gea is so severe that his performances in the run-in resemble those of four years ago. United promptly compensated him at the time.
Benrahma was surrounded by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw, three defenders who virtually dared him to shoot. The ball rolled so slowly that it would not have been able to slash daisies in a field.
Benrahma’s shot was made with errant footwork by De Gea, a goalkeeper who has figuratively stood still for the past five years.
He resembled a tail-ender duped by a sluggish delivery. The teammates of De Gea rotated 180 degrees and gazed at the center circle.
It wasn’t the only foot De Gea misplaced. He began each half by passing to an opponent, and his error gave West Ham permission to fire on sight. Michail Antonio had a goal disallowed for impeding De Gea during a corner kick. It is absurd that United has held contract negotiations with De Gea.
Benrahma’s goal energized an audience that was more agitated by Thursday’s upcoming European semifinal between AZ Alkmaar and another team.
Declan Rice, frantic to cap his West Ham career with a trophy before his inevitable transfer, will have captivated the attention of more onlookers with another impressive performance. For the second consecutive match, Casemiro was defeated by a junior opponent.
United’s season, which seemed destined to be successful, is in peril of ending in failure. Liverpool is now only one point behind them in fifth place, and this was United’s second opportunity of the week to gain breathing room and ascend to third.
United are dissatisfied with their Thursday-Sunday schedule in the Premier League, as their encounter against Chelsea is scheduled for the final Thursday of the season. Lack of quality squad depth and a relentless schedule have taken their toll.
As has the mentality of a squad. This was another mental capitulation comparable to that of Brentford, albeit without the London opponents emphasizing their superiority. When extra time was signaled, United abruptly launched an offensive assault.
In August, the majority of gamblers predicted that United would finish outside of the top four, and this remains a possibility. Erik ten Hag can always find a squad member who is more marketable than viable.
United’s wasteful forwards contributed once more. Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, and Antony all missed from advantageous positions.
The last two hit the upright. The closer United came to scoring, the quicker West Ham scored. Wout Weghorst was the only United player to attempt a clear shot on goal through 70 minutes.
This was United’s third consecutive encounter with a different face leading the line, as Weghorst made his first start since April 2 against Newcastle on the road.
United have two number nines whose contracts have expired; the club is preparing for the upcoming campaign without Weghorst and Anthony Martial.
If they had a hybrid of the two, they would possess a world-class player. After De Gea’s first errant kick, Weghorst dashed back into his own area to protect him.
12 minutes after the resumption, Weghorst was replaced by Martial to continue the merry-go-round. United supporters applauded Weghorst, despite the fact that he has scored only two goals in 27 matches.
In the 91st minute, Martial produced the finest offensive play, but Fabianski covered his near post.
Despite the fluidity of United’s offensive play under Ten Hag, the team is still susceptible to inert phases. Wan-Bissaka remains a reluctant attacker despite Ten Hag’s request that United play the ball to the right wing.
Antony, irritated at being substituted once more, remains frequently one-dimensional, whereas Weghorst becomes more valuable the further he plays from the goal.
Rashford has scored five goals in his last 17 games, a pitiful return for a forward on the verge of reaching 30 goals.
The pomposity of the Premier League to play the national anthem during the coronation weekend exposed some Republicans in the United away end.
One unfurled an Argentinian flag, an appropriate gesture given that Manchester United adopted their Argentinian identity at the Boleyn Ground during David Beckham’s vilification almost 25 years ago.
United’s reemergence was led by Fernandes, Lindelof, and Casemiro, who paused at the tunnel entrance to strategize one last time.
Antony was informed that Rashford spoke with De Gea and Benni McCarthy, the strikers’ coach, who may have to supervise additional shooting exercises.
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Nothing but words, no action. United was inferior in the second half. They won a corner kick in extra time, but De Gea did not even propose to move to the opposite penalty area.
Man United’s problems that must be fixed for them to be fit for top four race