Manchester United conspired to snatch a 4-3 defeat from the jaws of victory after having led with three minutes of the eight allocated minutes remaining. Here are the Manchester United key takeaways from a pulsating encounter in which the Red Devil’s showcased the best and the worst of their abilities.
Yet Another Manchester United Implosion as Cole Palmer Hat-Trick Decides Breathless Game
Beaten in stoppage time.#MUFC || #CHEMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 4, 2024
Varane And Casemiro Should Be First Out Of The Door
Raphael Varane is a world-class defender. Technically gifted, fast and strong, but sadly nowhere near reliable enough for a team with designs on challenging for the title. Coming off injured yet again, it might be time for the team to cut their losses.
As for Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, it seems that this is a season too far for the former Real Madrid man. Often unable to keep up with the pace of the game, it’s not a stretch to say the five-time Champions League winner’s best days are behind him and disappearing ever further into the distance.
Antony Is Showing Signs Of Life
Despite giving away a (very) soft penalty, this was another extremely positive display from the £86 Million Brazilian, capped with a gorgeous outside-of-the-foot assist for Alejandro Garnacho’s second goal of the evening. Even when the former Ajax winger has been at his worst, he has provided solid running off the ball and defensive cover. If he can sustain this form and continue his recent trend of being direct, incisive and efficient going forward, he can turn his Manchester United career around.
Chaos, Chaos, Chaos: United Live And Die By It
Fifth 4-3 in which #MUFC have been involved this season. Lost three of them. Conceded 2 in 4 mins v Bayern, 2 in a minute and 2 in 4 mins v Copenhagen, 2 in 5 mins v Wolves, 2 in 2 mins v Liverpool & 2 in 2 mins v Chelsea. They love an implosion
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) April 4, 2024
Have you ever witnessed a football team that has both its very best and absolute worst moments when there is absolutely zero control on the field? Tonight’s game at times resembled the NBA rather than the Premier League, with the end-to-end nature of the encounter lending itself to both United’s strengths and weaknesses.
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In too many games this season, Erik ten Hag’s side have been unable to establish control to compliment their chaotic brilliance, and it showed once again tonight, with an inexplicable implosion in the final two minutes of stoppage time.
Man Utd have conceded 109 shots in the last four Premier League games, conceding:
27 shots vs. Man City
23 shots vs. Everton
31 shots vs. Brentford
28 shots vs. ChelseaNo words. 🙈🙈🙈 pic.twitter.com/QCEhz1NkG5
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 4, 2024
Alejandro Garnacho Is A Star
Two more goals for the Argentinian capped a man-of-the-match performance on the wing, with the transitional nature of the game the firewood needed to spark the electric forward’s game into life. It came as a slight surprise to see him withdrawn for Mason Mount late in the second half with the game seemingly won, and a drop in the team’s intensity and counter-attacking threat after this change is perhaps something the manager will want to revisit.
Mason Mount’s Return To Fitness Is A Plus
A goalscoring cameo on Saturday against Brentford was followed by another stellar performance tonight, with the former Chelsea hero returning to the stadium where he made his name.
Mason Mount did everything he could to try and stem the tide at the end, pitching in on defence and making a vital block to keep the score at 3-2, just before the team conspired to throw away the lead that the Englishman put his body on the line to protect.
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With a declining Casemiro putting in lacklustre performances in the middle of the park, it may be the time for Mount’s energy and industry to be introduced from the start, either as a roaming number 8 or as a number 10.
Key Takeaways From A Demoralising Sucker Punch
After another demoralising end to the game in which the Red Devils managed to turn points into no points, the big question is where the team goes from here. With top four hopes fading fast and only the FA Cup left to play for, a season that promised so much is derailing in front of Ten Hag’s eyes.
