United View: The Reds' Rotated Squad Failed To Impress

The ripple effect of the Queen’s passing has been felt across the nation, a time of mourning for many for the longest serving monarch.

The FA took the decision to postpone all football from grassroots to the Premier League. Therefore, Manchester United were unable to face off against Crystal Palace last Sunday.

However, United were able to fulfil their match against Real Sociedad, the first game of their Europa League campaign. It was a chance for squad rotation, with Ten Hag gifting an opportunity to those who have struggled for minutes in the last couple of weeks. Despite this, no one particularly stood out or gave little reason for the manager to consider altering his current favoured starting eleven.

Sociedad won 1-0 against United, scoring from a penalty after another controversial VAR call. The Spanish side were very organised defensively, picking up a famous win for the Basque club. 

It’s only the first match of the group stages, but United should be aiming to qualify top of their group, thus avoiding an extra knockout fixture against a Champions League side dropping down into the competition. To do this they will need to finish top of their group. A task that would have been easier had they not lost their opening match.

United were very disappointing on the day, setting a slow pace in build-up and not creating many clear-cut chances. Ronaldo had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. The Portuguese forward had one of his quieter games, along with Casemiro who also looked far from his best in his first start for the club.

Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez were brought on at half time, injecting more pace into United’s passing. Although in the end it amounted to little as United didn’t look like they were going to score and left Old Trafford in defeat. 

United saw more of the ball and it shows that the team are still adjusting to Ten Hag’s style. Against Liverpool and Arsenal, they saw less of the ball, using their pace to hit both teams on the counter, but against La Real they struggled. It’s something the team will have to adapt to as dominating possession is a hallmark of a ten Hag team.

The loss felt like a speed bump after four successive wins. The opening fixture of a European group stage can often bring upon a shock result and shouldn’t raise much concern. Although if they suffer another defeat in their next fixture then things will become increasingly more difficult.

United will next travel to Moldova, taking on FC Sheriff of Transnistria. Don’t bother looking for it on a map because it isn’t recognised as an actual country. Sheriff are no pushovers though, regularly featuring in European competitions over recent years and even picking up a win against Real Madrid in 2021. United will have to be back on top form but it’s a great opportunity to get some points on the board and bounce back for the opening defeat.

Unfortunately, the fixture against Leeds has also been postponed due to policing issues as many are being sent to London to help with the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen. While I understand the reasoning, it doesn’t subdue the frustration as United’s next Premier fixture is the Manchester derby in October. 

Thankfully there is the Europa League to discuss but with the World Cup soon approaching, these cancelled fixtures just add to an already chaotic calendar for Manchester United.