1 week Ago By Vatsal Gupta
Manchester United’s Premier League campaign is limping towards the finish and the latest stop was a whimper of a Manchester derby that ended goalless. It summed up the state of affairs in Manchester right now, with neither team having the best seasons and the intensity of the game often found wanting. Bruno Fernandes was his usual reliable self but the positives were hard to identify without any asterisks beyond the captain.
Paul Scholes even said that United’s ‘only threat’ in the game has a ceiling that people are not ready to see in a damning verdict. Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty ImagesPaul Scholes on Man Utd’s ‘only threat’Pep Guardiola didn’t miss any opportunity after the game to hammer home the point that United played on transitions, something which Ruben Amorim conceded to a point as well.That is the only way United look capable of playing until they get more technical players who are calm under pressure.
Having too many gung-ho players also leads to questionable decision-making in the final third, something that Man Utd fans have been all too accustomed to seeing at Old Trafford. Scholes singled out one player who personifies that trait – being a threat but letting the team down when the moment to influence arrives. He said of Alejandro Garnacho: “It’s a big issue [lack of cutting edge].
The defensive organisation looks alright but is that because they don’t look like a threat? The balance is not there. They need reinforcements, especially in forward areas.“Garnacho is the only threat, but even he has only scored once in 25/26 games, he needs to be more consistent.
Should have scored again today. Garnacho doesn’t look like a goalscorer. You can’t get inside his head and make decisions for him.
”Alejandro Garnacho is doing the basics rightGarnacho was frustratingly wasteful again during the derby but the reality also is that he looks like the only player at times who will create something. There’s clearly an end-product problem with him as he’s struggling to shake off his shoot-first habits, and the weight on his passes isn’t always ideal. However, Amorim is clearly convinced of him now because he’s started doing the basics right – running back to help the defense, holding position in attack, and providing an outlet on transitions.
The decision-making should improve as the team structure and familiarity with the system get better. There’s a feeling that next season is crucial for the player. He needs to show the next step in his development by developing a killer instinct otherwise his ceiling will need to be reassessed by the people at the club.
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