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Manchester United have made their worst start in the Premier League this season. In eight games, the club has just won twice and lost three times. This lackluster start is partly due to injuries to key players, lack of enough quality purchases by Ed Woodward in the transfer market, and loss of form of some influential players.
The worrying part for United is that they have been unable to break the defenses of teams such as Newcastle United, West Ham, and Southampton, who have played deep and scored on the counter-attack.
With the league leaders Liverpool up next at Old Trafford after the international break, the Manchester United players need to lift their intensity and prove to their fierce rivals that they are still a team to beat. The wingers need to support Rashford and not leave him isolated upfront.
If the club does not turn the tables soon, there is a chance that United might have to say good-bye to their aim of qualifying for the Champions League next season and even fight a battle for survival to stay in the Premier League.
Let us have a look at the four Manchester United players who need to step up after the international break.
#4 Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard has had a frustrating start for his club this season, having started in just four Premier League games so far. This poor start has been partly due to injuries as well as loss in form. In the games he has played, Lingard has looked quite ordinary, given away possession quite cheaply to his opponents, and has failed to create chances for his teammates during counter-attacks. Due to his inconsistent performances, he was dropped by Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2020 qualifiers last week.
Hence, with injuries plaguing the team, Lingard has the chance to put in a good show and establish himself in United's playing XI.
#3 Andreas Pereira
Andreas Pereira is one of those players in whom Manchester United manager Solskjaer has shown immense faith in in this season so far. Despite this, Pereira has given a below-par performance in almost every game he has played. Being allocated the right-wing, Pereira has whipped in only a few crosses inside the box and has failed to link-up with Marcus Rashford. His set-pieces, too, have been entirely ineffective.
In the last game against Newcastle, Pereira was unable to create enough chances during his team's counter-attacks. To have a future at the club, Pereira needs to work hard and needs and repay the faith shown in him.
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#2 Fred
Fred was one of the few players who were responsible for United's defeat in their last game against Newcastle United. Being assigned the role of the defensive midfielder, Fred was dispossessed quite easily by his opponents, failed to stop the counter-attacks of Newcastle, and hence left the back four quite vulnerable.
Having been bought from Shakhtar Donetsk last season for a reported fee of £52m, Fred has failed to justify his price tag so far. Yet, there is enough time for him to prove his critics wrong by stepping up for the club after the international break.
#1 Ashley Young
Ashley Young has been having a below-average time on the pitch for Manchester United so far. Due to advancing age and injury problems, Young has become slower than before and hence is not able to complete his defensive duties as efficiently as he used to do a few seasons before. On the attacking front too, Young has failed to make enough over-lapping runs on the left-wing, preventing him from delivering quality crosses inside the opposition's box. Further, several of his set-pieces have been too close to the goal-keeper for them to come of any use.
Due to the injury to Luke Shaw, the coaching staff has no option but to play Young in his place. Hence, Young has still got a chance to prove to the pundits that experience still counts in this game.
