Is Man United better than last season? Analysing Red Devils’ trajectory after Liverpool demolition
Erik Ten Hag
Manchester United’s start to the 2024/25 season shows both changes and challenges, and not all of them have been positive. Last season, United finished in 8th place in the Premier League, which was a huge disappointment for the club and the fans. This season, despite bringing in new players and trying out a different style of play, the team is still finding it hard to perform well.
Over the summer transfer, United signed Players like Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui to strengthen the team. The idea behind these signings was to improve their defence, which had been a weak point last season, and to make their attack more effective.
Erik ten Hag, who has a strong track record from his time at Ajax, has been working to introduce a more compact, high-pressing style of play. This approach is introduced to make the team more aggressive and difficult to break down, but the tactics have not been effective enough to make the team compete successfully against other teams.
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The match against Liverpool on September 1, 2024, was a clear example of the difficulties United is facing. They suffered a disappointing 0-3 defeat at Old Trafford, highlighting significant issues in their defence and overall gameplay.
Liverpool, known for their high-intensity play, outperformed United in almost every aspect of the game. Goals from Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah exposed United’s defensive weaknesses, leaving the team looking broken and unable to respond well.
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According to match statistics, United was outplayed in possession, shots on target, and overall control of the game. Liverpool’s quick transitions and high pressing caused problems for United’s defence, which struggled to keep up. This match showed that, despite the new signings and tactical changes, United still has a long way to go to compete at the top level.
When comparing this season to last, it’s clear that some of the old problems persist. Last season, United’s struggles were often blamed on individual mistakes and a lack of a clear game plan. This season, while there is a more defined tactical approach under Ten Hag, the team is still struggling to adapt. The defence, in particular, has not shown any major improvement, and the team’s performances have been inconsistent. The defeat to Liverpool is a reminder that, despite the changes, the issues that were present in the team last season have not been fully resolved.
While Manchester United has made several changes from last season, both in terms of players and tactics, these changes have not yet led to improved results on the pitch.
It is clear that more time and work are needed for the team to make the team better and start performing at the level expected of a club like Manchester United.
While some fans are calling for the sack of Erik Ten Hag, patience will be key as the coach continues to shape this team and guide them through this transitional period.
By Francis Blessing
