{"id":2176,"date":"2024-09-02T13:40:53","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T08:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoverstud.io\/?p=2176"},"modified":"2024-09-02T13:41:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-02T08:11:03","slug":"manchester-united-vs-liverpool-failures-from-front-to-back-as-erik-ten-hag-faces-early-season-struggles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoverstud.io\/manchester-united-vs-liverpool-failures-from-front-to-back-as-erik-ten-hag-faces-early-season-struggles\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Failures from Front to Back as Erik ten Hag Faces Early Season Struggles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manchester United\u2019s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool was not just a loss<\/strong><\/a>; it was a statement of intent\u2014unfortunately, one that suggests Erik ten Hag\u2019s new era may be more troubled than triumphant. Just 16 days into the new Premier League season, and with two defeats from three matches, the Red Devils are already grappling with a crisis that has fans and pundits alike questioning the future of this so-called “revolution.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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A Breakdown from Front to Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What we witnessed on that fateful afternoon was a United team riddled with failures, from front to back. The match against Liverpool exposed fundamental issues in the squad, epitomized by Casemiro\u2019s catastrophic first-half performance. The Brazilian, once heralded as one of the world\u2019s best defensive midfielders, looked lost, his errors directly leading to both of Luis D\u00edaz\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Casemiro wasn\u2019t the only one underperforming. Joshua Zirkzee, handed his first start, missed clear-cut chances that would have kept United in the game. Andr\u00e9 Onana, once again, showed a worrying tendency to misplace high balls, either sending them out of play or gifting them to the opposition. Even the usually reliable Bruno Fernandes and the reinstated Alejandro Garnacho failed to make any meaningful impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, perhaps the most concerning issue for Ten Hag is the ongoing enigma that is Marcus Rashford. Once United\u2019s golden boy, Rashford\u2019s form has taken a nosedive, and his goal drought now stretches back to March. Despite flashes of his old self, including a few bright moments against Liverpool, he remains goalless and shotless, leaving Ten Hag with a major headache as he tries to revive his star forward\u2019s form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Casemiro Conundrum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Casemiro\u2019s decline is particularly alarming given the hype surrounding his arrival. During pre-season training at UCLA, he was seen making desperate, last-ditch tackles\u2014an early sign of what was to come. In the match against Liverpool, his disintegration was on full display. His misplaced passes and inability to control the midfield left United vulnerable, leading directly to Liverpool\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make matters worse, the decision to substitute Casemiro at halftime for 20-year-old Toby Collyer\u2014a Premier League debutant\u2014only highlighted the lack of depth in United\u2019s squad. Collyer, though eager, looked out of his depth, and it raises serious questions about the club\u2019s transfer strategy. Why was the \u00a342m signing of Manuel Ugarte, bought to replace Casemiro, delayed to the point where he wasn\u2019t available for one of the season\u2019s most important fixtures?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rashford: From Hero to Zero<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If Casemiro\u2019s decline is a concern, Rashford\u2019s form is a crisis. Once the club\u2019s top scorer, Rashford\u2019s current goal drought is baffling, especially for a player earning over \u00a3350,000 a week. His last goal came in March, and since then, he\u2019s struggled to make any significant impact on the pitch. Despite his impressive physical attributes and past success, Rashford now looks a shadow of his former self.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The speculation surrounding Rashford\u2019s form has been rampant. Is it a lack of confidence? Off-pitch distractions? Whatever the cause, the fact remains that United\u2019s highest earner is not delivering, and Ten Hag must find a solution quickly. Watching United\u2019s Under-18s beat Liverpool 2-0 at Carrington might have been a sign of Rashford\u2019s commitment to the club, but it hasn\u2019t translated into goals on the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Season Already in Jeopardy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

United\u2019s defeat to Liverpool is more than just a blip; it\u2019s a sign of deeper issues within the squad and management. Ten Hag\u2019s project is already under scrutiny, and with the international break looming, the Dutchman has little time to regroup and find solutions. The narrative already feels eerily similar to last season\u2019s, where United seemed to stagger from one matchday to the next, relying on hope rather than a clear, effective strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As United prepare to face Southampton on September 14th, Ten Hag must address the glaring weaknesses in his squad. The decline of key players like Casemiro and Rashford cannot be ignored, and the lack of depth in critical positions is a problem that needs immediate attention. If United are to salvage their season, changes must be made, both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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