Manchester United is having one of their worst starts to a campaign this season. There have been collective reasons for the team’s slump, and it is a sad sight to see one of the biggest teams in the world suffer to this magnitude.
Sure, it would be understandable if this was in the immediate transition from Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25 year tenure. However, United have had three other managers since, and the team looks more confused than a side battling to avoid relegation.
Truth be told, there remains only one or two functioning pieces at Old Trafford. A lot of the fans are wondering why Jose Mourinho is still on the job despite constantly getting his tactics wrong.
Mourinho’s era this season is worse than what David Moyes went through at this stage of the season. Is the board hesitant to pull the plug because Mourinho will have a huge pay day? Or is it because they are choking in their own guilt of not supporting the manager when he needed reinforcements?
All factors aside, it is the players who get on the field to play. Despite the crisis, some of the players have underperformed this season. They have very good footballing credentials, but have failed to showcase them in the new campaign.
#3 David De Gea
He is one of only two world class players in the Manchester United squad today. Last season, he was referred to by his peers as the ‘Messi Of Goalkeepers’. This is true because of him constantly making inhuman saves.
He has flopped this season so far because of managing only two clean sheets in 13 Premier League games.
De Gea has also had a dip in form for his national team. Yes, he has a very weak defence that rarely protects him. However, he has set the bar for goalkeeping standards so high that his slump is reflected on the team.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez joined United in January this year with the prospect of continuing to build on the legacy he left at Arsenal. There he averaged almost a goal every two matches. He has had many opportunities to shine this season, but the Chilean has completely failed.
Mourinho said that the real Sanchez would be seen this season when he was fully settled in the team. However, we are still seeing a player who is a shadow of his former self. He is the highest earner in the Premier League, but delivers mediocre performances. Sanchez has only scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists this season, which is unacceptable for a player of his calibre.
#1 Romelu Lukaku
This burly Belgian striker has been the biggest culprit of United’s slump. Lukaku could easily score 30 goals for Everton in a tough season, but now he has added weight and can barely get basic things like ball control done. Ever since he scored 4 goals in the opening 5 games, he has undergone a serious goal drought.
At Old Trafford, the place where United’s powers should come alive, he has gone on a dry spell since March at the stadium. Mourinho for sometime chose to continue playing the Belgian despite his poor form. An injury to Lukaku forced the manager to change tactics and the team started playing better.
Based on his performance and overall contribution, he should have a merciful place on the bench at most, and could be brought on as substitute reinforcement.
