Man United has numerous players who have the potential to make a strong side in the future, but Erik Ten Hag’s roster has to be strengthened. Despite Manchester United’s recent slump, this season has been full of potential. A first title since 2017 — with two more on the way — and a top-four finish are testaments to the hard effort Erik ten Hag and his players have put in over the previous year.
Yet, United’s run of four victories in their previous ten Premier League games, beginning with a 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace in January when Michael Olise’s late free-kick seemed like a true championship ƅιоw, has highlighted the squad’s flaws.
United has a strong first-team squad. Fitness allowing, nine of the players choose themselves, with arguments taking place solely at right-back and on the right wing. To minimize any questions, the following players are certain starters:
David de Gea
Raphael Varane
Lisandro Martinez
Luke Shaw
Casemiro
Christian Eriksen
Bruno Fernandes
Marcus Rashford
Anthony Martial
Yet therein lays the dilemma. When it comes to injuries or suspensions, most of United’s deputies simply don’t cut it.
Martial’s injury problems are frustrating, but he is objectively a better footballer than Wout Weghorst; Tyrell Malacia is leagues below Luke Shaw at left-back; Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are significant downgrades on Varane and Martinez; nobody can compete with Casemiro at the base of midfield; and United lack a ball-playing midfielder aside from the injured Eriksen.
Martial has not played 90 minutes in the Premier League in 27 months, Eriksen has been injured since January, and Casemiro will have missed seven of United’s previous ten league games due to suspension by the time his current ban expires. As a consequence, Ten Hag has been forced to depend on stand-ins, resulting in a significant drop in on-field quality, and United’s league play has deteriorated as a result.
Since January’s stalemate at Selhurst Park, Arsenal, and Manchester City have each garnered 14 points more than United. That night, Casemiro received his first ban of the season for accumulating yellow cards, while Eriksen suffered the ankle injury that has kept him out for the previous nine weeks.
United supporters may not like City being brought up as an example, but there is no doubt that they have considerable depth. Bernardo Silva was ruled out for Saturday’s match against Liverpool, so Ilkay Gundogan took his place, while Julian Alvarez filled in for Erling Haaland up front, and the Norwegian celebrated Alvarez’s equalizer passionately from his hospitality box inside the Etihad.
Ten Hag has a strong track record in the transfer market, and this summer will be focused on fixing the deficiencies in his team. The manager must determine if he wants a new goalkeeper, but Varane, Martinez, and Shaw should make up three-quarters of his outfield defense. United wants to hire a new midfielder this summer, which would enable Casemiro, Fernandes, and, more regularly, Eriksen to rotate.
In attack, it seems that Rashford, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho are the only players who are certain to remain at the club come September. Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial are also likely, although their futures are uncertain due to their inability to make meaningful contributions this season.
United have the makings of a very strong squad, and Ten Hag will get the chance to build on them again shortly.
