United View: Should United be concerned?

It’s only two games into the new season but there are already concerns about Manchester United.

The Reds were underwhelming in both fixtures and left Erik Ten Hag with problems that need to be addressed.

United just about got the win against Wolves and it was surprising to see Ten Hag select an unchanged side for the visit to Spurs. Although the Reds gave a good first-half performance, they succumb to a 2-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Had United been more clinical in the first half the game might have played out differently. Bruno Fernandes had the best opportunity to score but he got his free header from six yards out all wrong, sending the ball high and wide.

The Reds were also denied a penalty after what looked like a handball from Christian Romero, but referee Michael Oliver and VAR somehow waved it away. Another turning point in the game.

The lack of goals was apparent last season and has once again shown to be the case at the start of this new campaign. And while Rasmus Hojlund could help improve this, it only increases the pressure to perform when the 20-year-old does make his Manchester United debut.

These missed opportunities came back to spite United, as they were undone in the second half. Similar to the Wolves game the midfield became unjointed, with James Maddison and Yves Bissouma finding it too easy to work through United’s central areas.

Spurs took the lead after some poor defensive tracking down United’s left. Pape Sarr scored after a deflected ball fell directly into his path. And they doubled their lead late into the game through a Lisandro Martinez own goal.

Again, United did have chances to score in the second half. Antony struck the post and Casemiro’s header was saved well despite being close to Spurs’ keeper. It really felt like one of those days where no matter what United did they wouldn’t be able to score.

Following the defeat Ten Hag gave his thoughts, suggesting that switching off at the start of the second half cost United the game, along with not scoring. He also said that the midfield played well but deep down he will know there are issues there that need to be put right.

Mason Mount played much deeper in the first half and did well but when the first goal went in, he instinctively pushed higher, thus leading to more gaps for Spurs to exploit. Although he hasn’t got off to a great start, the more he plays in this new role the better he will become, he and his new team just need time.

It’s still very early into the new season and with many changes being made around Old Trafford, a period of transition isn’t anything out of the ordinary. And while it has been a lacklustre start, there were at least positives to take from the defeat at Spurs.

United have a great opportunity to put it right against Nottingham Forest, a good performance and result could be a catalyst for the Reds to kick on ahead of some tough fixtures.

Personally, I think Ten Hag will have to make some changes against Forest, starting by putting Marcus Rashford back on the left wing, his best position. He scored 17 goals in the league last season and after only scoring one goal in their opening two games, United needs to start firing.

There may be problems to solve but if anyone is able to answer them it’s Erik Ten Hag. He had much bigger concerns at the same time last season and hopefully in a couple of weeks this will all have blown over. Until then United know they need to step it up.