UNITED BACK TO THE GOOD OLE DAYS?

            Was Marcus Rashford’s last gasp winner at Old Trafford an indication of Manchester United’s potential threat in the title race or merely some residue of Fergie time. In a lifeless affair between United and Wolverhampton a deflected Rashford strike deep into injury-time gifted Solskjaer’s men all three points and propelled them into 2^nd place heading into the New Year. Nuno Espirito Santo was seconds away from another valuable point before Bruno Fernandes’ long-range ball flew over the Wolves defence and found Marcus Rashford, who finished the move. On a chilly Manchester evening the home side found great difficulty in breaking down their stubborn visitors. Wolves’ set up on the night would suggest United are in fact title contenders, their defensive approach to the fixture showed the respect Nuno and his side hold for the thirteen-time Premier League winners. In a similar structure to West Brom during their visit to Anfield, Wolves sat back, absorbing pressure and waiting for their opportunity to hurt United on the counterattack.

            A 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton may not be the most telling of results for a title challenger, however with both Liverpool and Manchester City’s recent slip-ups against relegation contenders West Brom, the competition for the title isn’t quite as daunting as previous years. Jurgen Klopp’s side have already suffered more setbacks in the draw column this campaign than they managed throughout last season, already double their tally of stalemates from their title winning campaign. Liverpool and City’s struggles should alleviate any anxiety amongst Ole’s bunch. Manchester United’s away form is certainly that of a capable challenger, with six wins from seven outings, the latter a 2-2 draw at Leicester City. Dissecting the Red Devils’ defeats, all three were at the hands of London based clubs. Firstly, a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the campaign. Their second loss a 6-1 thrashing by former manager Jose Mourinho and his Tottenham team with United down to 10-men after just half an hour. A 1-0 defeat to Arsenal courtesy of a Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang penalty was United’s last loss in league play. Given the circumstances of their defeats to the North London opponents, a penalty and fewer men on the field, United supporters shouldn’t feel to disheartened. When you pin up their recent string of results and the members of their squad in comparison to their rivals, Ole has United in good standing. Their cross-town rivals Manchester City have concerns going forward, with their Argentine talisman Sergio Aguero constantly battling injury and his successor Gabriel Jesus still finding his feet three years into the English game. As for Liverpool, Klopp has been extremely candid about his injury concerns, specifically defensively. With Van Dijk, the headline act, out for the foreseeable.

            This Manchester United group has the potential of a title winning side, the inclusion of Edinson Cavani particularly looks to have added an extra edge to their attack. Not only does the Uruguayan provide a wealth of experience but the PSG all-time top goal scorer also brings a new dimension to the United front line. Martial, Rashford and Greenwood are very similar players, bags of pace, comfortable in either a wide or central position and always looking to cut in on their stronger foot. Cavani brings something new to the table. He offers no threatening pace like the three, prior mentioned United attackers, but is a more proven centre forward. Cavani has already shown he will primarily occupy the central role. A far greater arial threat and a fox in the box, the recruitment of Cavani looks to be a terrific piece of business for Ole. Nobody will argue there is a lack of firepower in the United attack, that’s not an issue. It’s Man United’s defensive struggles that separates themselves from the Virgil Van Dijk lead Liverpool last season. So many questions are being asked of Ed Woodward’s willingness to splash £80 million on Harry Maguire after only a couple of stand out seasons at Leicester and a decent World Cup performance. United’s captain has failed to live up to the bill after his switch from the Foxes. His central defensive partner during the Wolves game, Eric Bailly, looked absurdly composed at the back. The Ivory Coast international hasn’t been able to shake off injury concerns since his arrival to Old Trafford in 2016, but his performance in Tuesday night’s win gave the United faithful a glimpse of hope that their defensive issues can be fixed at no cost. United appear to have found the successor to right back Antonio Valencia in young Aaron Wan-Bissaka whilst the jury is still out on the club’s newest left back Alex Telles. The latest Dutch national to join the United ranks, Donny Van de Beek, hasn’t found much playing time in his maiden Premier League campaign. Unfortunately for the Ajax graduate his midfield partners Fred, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba have stepped up to the plate when called upon by their gaffer.

            The difference in this Manchester United squad and those in previous seasons, since the Ferguson era ended anyway, is the squad depth. Ole has opted for Bruno Fernandes, and Scott McTominay or Paul Pogba over any other midfield combination, yet the Norwegian can still look to previous Premier League winners Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic for help when in need. As well as the former Chelsea duo, he has Fred, Dan James and Van de Beek at his disposal. Three eager, young, pacey forwards in Martial, Greenwood and Rashford with more ‘traditional’ strikers Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo also on hand. Defensively, despite their troubles in this area, Axel Tuanzebe has exerted brief flashes of his potential as a defender worthy of leading United for years to come. In the full back position Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams are also on stand-by. As comfortable as United look on the road and their terrific depth, this squad wouldn’t pose quite the same threat to their bitter Scouse rivals if it weren’t for the signing of Bruno Fernandes 12 months ago. The Portuguese playmaker has been at the heart of almost every United attack since his move from Sporting Lisbon in January. In his 29 Premier League games in 2020, Bruno has 32 goal contributions, 18 goals and 14 assists. Bruno Fernandes may well be the most significant outfield signing Manchester United have made since another promising Portuguese star made the move from Lisbon to Lancashire. I forget his name…

            The Wolves game wasn’t the ideal eye test for someone trying to analyse Manchester United’s playing style. The intent was there, lining up with Rashford and Greenwood either side of Bruno with their target man/poacher Edinson Cavani the last point of attack. Pogba and Matic sitting behind Bruno. Full backs Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles weren’t shy in joining the attack, with both supporting Greenwood and Rashford respectively. Both full backs looked to overlap often. If the overlap is on the full backs either look for Cavani and other options in the penalty area or the wingers will use those overlaps as a decoy and cut in onto their strong foot. Bruno floats between either wing and in behind the striker, the driving force of everything United conjure up. Of course, none of this was too evident against a side who shut up shop like Wolves did. Wolves’ game plan was to absorb the pressure then hit United on the break, the role they found Tottenham playing against themselves at Molineux just two days prior. Nuno’s side had several counter attacks at Old Trafford, few dangerous attempts but still their approach slightly exposed United’s defence which remains quite susceptible. When watching United it feels as though they are just one world class, defensive stalwart away from posing a serious domestic threat. The question is who do they bring in? We’re just 24 hours away from the January transfer window, but is there a clear option out there for Ole to recruit? And how will United afford this? There have been rumours circulating that Paul Pogba is a dead cert to be exiting the English game. His agent Mino Raiola perhaps constructing much of the speculation, with Real Madrid a constant destination discussed. However, Ole and the United hierarchy appear to have their hearts set on English winger Jadon Sancho. The potential Pogba funds could be transferred directly to Dortmund for the services of young Jadon, yet the United fans are crying out for a central defender. Sancho is unquestionably one of European football’s rising stars and although just 20 years old, he has performed like a ten-year veteran in one of Germany’s top teams. However, does he bring another dimension to United’s game? With Greenwood and Rashford, both young English products, filling the same role as Sancho could United’s money be spent more sensibly? This will all play out in the coming weeks but as far as this current squad and their spirited Norwegian manager are concerned, all they can do is continue. United have very subtlety crept up the table, to the stage they are now just three points off their Merseyside rivals with a game in hand. Three weeks into the new year the sides meet at Anfield, an away win and United will find themselves in the driving seat, with Ole at the wheel.