Premier League 2018/19 : 3 problems Manchester United must solve immediately

Mourinho has a lot of things to sort out
Mourinho has a lot of things to sort out

The most astonishing part of the Premier League is the competition among the teams. For instance, Manchester United are eighth on the Premier League table and 12 points separate them from both the table toppers and the relegation zone.

For Manchester United, this season is slowly turning into a nightmare that the club and fans want to avoid.

Jose Mourinho spoke about 'catching up' to their neighbours, Manchester City when they won at Etihad Stadium last season, City's only defeat in their own home last season.

Manchester United also finished second last season which gave their fans hope for another improved season but it has all went south since the start of the new season.

As things stand, Manchester United are far away from their best. Their rivals, Manchester City are untouchable at the moment, almost magical and robotic at the same time whereas United are scraping through.

Their focus of winning the Premier League seems like a pipe dream and their immediate concern should be getting a Champions League spot at the end of this season.

Even if they focus on getting into the top four, they must improve massively. Let us evaluate three massive problems which Manchester United must solve.


#1 Leaks in defence

United have only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League this season
United have only kept one clean sheet in the Premier League this season

Probably, the one thing that worked for Jose Mourinho in all his previous clubs was the presence of a rock-solid defence.

Mourinho's teams usually boast of superb defensive organization which rendered the rivals useless by giving them zero space to utilize. But that has not been the case this season for Manchester United.

In this season, Jose Mourinho's United have already conceded 21 goals in just 12 fixtures. They are the only team in the top ten with a negative goal difference of -1.

Barring a determined Victor Lindelof, the United defenders have failed miserably throughout the season.

While Chris Smalling is far from his usual self, the fullbacks - Valencia and Ashley Young are nowhere near the defenders of most top teams around Europe.

Barring their significant improvement in the coming matches, United needs to look at potential signings to strengthen their defence in January.

#2 Toothless in attack

United forwards lack any venom to penetrate
United forwards lack any venom to penetrate
opponent
defences most of the time

The word which can used to describe Manchester United forward line is 'toothless'. Often, the United forwards look clueless while moving up with the ball.

Despite Anthony Martial's somewhat heroic efforts in the last few matches, United forwards lack any venom to penetrate opponent defences most of the time.

Even the victory against Juventus was a 'smash and grab' for United due to their five-minute cameo.

While Romelu Lukaku was one of the pivotal reasons for United finishing second last season, he has failed massively in this one till now. He has only scored four goals in all competitions this season.

Alexis Sanchez was brought in January to fix their problems and strengthen United's attack. Instead, he has only added to the list of problems.

He has only scored once in his nine Premier League appearances this season and it is no surprise that there are rumours of him looking for a new club this winter.

Even a youngster like Foden had more passes than Lukaku and Sanchez combined in the Manchester Derby.

This only reveals how bad the United forwards have performed this season. It is up to Jose Mourinho and the Manchester United board to find a new way to rejuvenate the forwards before it gets too late.

#3 Same old from Jose Mourinho

Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League
Manchester City v Manchester United - Premier League

Some late comebacks in the past month resulted in Manchester United's somewhat better run of form which included a victory against the mighty Juventus in their own den.

But in the last match, Manchester City truly showed what they are capable of and highlighted the flaws of Manchester United.

One of the flaws includes Jose Mourinho's defensive style which is anything but pragmatic. Without quality defenders, his defensive style is suicide and that has been the case throughout this season.

There was a lack of Plan B and we are witnessing the least dynamic Mourinho side in his whole career.

Last season, Mourinho complained about their rivals spending more money to buy quality players but United spent a fortune, too.

United's recent signings have caused more problems than they have solved. Mourinho has failed to find a way out despite the bad signs early in the season. The current run of United is a testament to the fact that his style is predictable.

Mourinho has often suffered terrible third seasons with his previous clubs. And this one with Manchester United seems no different till now.

Unless his tactics change according to the evolution of football, he could find himself out of a job.

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Edited by Alan John