Ruben Amorim has turned things around at Old Trafford, but there is room for improvement (Image: Getty)
Manchester United appear to be re-emerging as serious challengers for the Premier League after a decade of disappointment. After a tentative start to the season under manager Ruben Amorim, the Reds have hit the ground running recently, with a crucial 2-0 win over Sunderland in October seemingly signaling the start of a new era in the North West.
United managed to remain unbeaten in their last four games, including a thrilling 2-1 win over arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield. No one expects Amorim to clinch the league title this season, but there is undeniable buzz around Old Trafford and a renewed sense of optimism is palpable.
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It’s too early for supporters to get too excited after just 11 games, but the prospect of United regaining their place in Europe by the end of the season looks increasingly real. When Sir Jim Ratcliffe set the goal of qualifying for European competition by the 2026/27 season, it seemed an almost insurmountable challenge given last season’s 15th place finish, albeit less ambitious than his bold Project 150 plans.
However, with just one point separating the Red Devils from Champions League qualification at the moment, the dream of returning to Europe’s most prestigious football competition certainly looks like a possibility.
Despite their current form, United still have a number of deep-seated issues that need to be addressed if they are to maintain their momentum in the Premier League – as fans know all too well…
Manchester United are 7th in the Premier League table (Image: Getty)
Benjamin Sesco finds shooting boots
When United signed Benjamin Sesco from RB Leipzig in a £74m deal this summer, many fans and pundits knew they were not getting the finished product. Despite the Slovenian international scoring 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season, questions persisted over how he would adapt to the rigors of England’s top flight, one of the most physically demanding leagues in world football.
At just 22 years old, his lack of experience was also cited as a potential problem, with some wondering whether United would repeat history by relying on a young striker to lead the attack, without learning from experienced professionals. After all, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirksee found themselves in a similar situation last season, with the pair managing just seven goals in the Premier League.
Benjamin Sesco has struggled to find the net so far this season (Image: Getty)
Sesco has already scored two goals and provided one assist this season, but these figures pale in comparison to the prolific scoring records of strikers such as Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary tenure.
Brian Mbeumo is currently the top scorer for Manchester United this season, scoring five times, with Casemiro close behind with three from midfield. But if United are to qualify for European football next season, Amorim will have high hopes for his first-choice striker.
However, it was recently revealed that Sesco will miss international duty in November after sustaining a knee injury in United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday, so he may have to wait until his summer signing is in full swing. As a result, he will remain at Carrington for further evaluation, with United fans worried that the injury is not too serious and that he will be fit enough to face Everton in two weeks’ time.
United sign midfielder for £52m
United’s midfield struggles have been clear of late, with Casemiro, 33, not covering as much defensive ground as he did in his prime at Real Madrid. Despite trying to strengthen their midfield with the signing of Carlos Baleva this summer, Brighton’s bid for the prodigy fell through due to his high price tag of £100m.
Despite Bruno Fernandes shifting into a more central role of late, questions remain over his effectiveness against more disciplined and calm teams. Despite having options such as Coby Mainu and Manuel Ugarte at his disposal, Portuguese manager Amorim does not currently consider either of them to be his first choice to start.
If United are serious about strengthening their core in January, they should consider signing another defensive-minded central midfielder. The Reds appear to be preparing the ground for such a move, with VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller reportedly also in their sights.
According to reports, the Germany international is on United’s shortlist of six midfielders currently being considered. Fabrizio Romano said Jason Wilcox has been a longtime admirer of Stiller and has followed his progress.
Stiller’s current contract is rumored to have a release clause, and it is thought the Bundesliga giants could exercise their right to buy him out for around £1.7m before demanding a fee of up to £52m. However, this is just over half the amount Brighton were asking for Baleva just a few months ago.
Dalot is fired
Amorim has stubbornly stuck to his trademark 3-4-2-1 formation since joining Manchester United a year ago, despite increasing pressure from supporters and pundits to change his approach.
Unsurprisingly, that tactical set-up contributed to the club’s lackluster season last season, but Amorim was forced to work with players who were, frankly, unsuited to his methods, in a team assembled primarily by Erik ten Hag.
Judging by United’s recent run of results, it appears that Amorim’s playing philosophy is finally bearing fruit, while Diogo Dalot has doggedly battled the demands of the system, often playing as a left wing-back, which is not his natural role.
The Portuguese full-back has come under fire for costly mistakes this season, with some supporters and former players urging Amorim to replace him with Patrick Dorg. In an interview with United Districts, Lee Sharp pinpointed the current team’s weaknesses on the left.
“Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorg have struggled as Manchester United’s left wing-backs this season. I’ve always thought Dalot’s decision-making was a little sloppy at times, giving the ball away too easily or getting caught out of position defensively,” he said.
“I also don’t think he’s close enough as a winger when crossing the ball. So there are some things in his game that I feel need to improve.”
He continued, “I think Dolgu can become a pretty good player, but he’s been injured a few times and his condition is a little unstable, so he’s not in a condition to rely on yet.”
It is clear that if United want to address their current deficiencies, they will need to modify their approach to suit Dalot’s abilities, trust Dorg, or explore the January transfer window for established wing-backs.
