It has been far from an ideal start to the new Premier League season for Manchester United, but hopes would have been raised after Monday’s victory over Liverpool.
Many of the best Premier League betting sites made the Reds favourites to seal a comfortable win over the rivals, but the Red Devils produced a standard of display that fans haven’t seen for well over a year. But, has that reignited United’s hopes of finishing in the top four this term?
Still Areas To Address In Summer Window
United fans won’t be getting ahead of themselves despite the morale boosting victory over Liverpool, as the majority still know that there are major areas to address. It’s likely that the Red Devils will still look to add players before the end of the transfer window, and a right-back and central midfielder still rank high. A goalkeeper may also be on the radar after allowing former Sheffield United stopper Dean Henderson to leave on loan.
The addition of Casemiro certainly gives United a solid defensive midfield option, as they have gone out and got one of the world’s best, but the Brazilian will still need to have talented players around him. There’s no secret that United are still in for Frenkie de Jong, and the Barcelona ace looks a perfect choice to play alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. A winger also ranks highly on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist, and a reunion with Anthony could be the preferred option.
Following Up On Liverpool Win
There were no shortage of differences between United’s performance against Liverpool and the one that they mustered against Brentford the week before. The biggest difference was the press. All forward players were mobile and looked to press the nervy Liverpool backline at any opportunity, and that was something absent from the defeat against Brentford just eight days prior.
The balance also looked much more finely poised, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane immediately looking like a partnership that could flourish for the Red Devils. Ten Hag made a big call before the win against Liverpool to drop Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire, but both decisions were vindicated by the performance that we saw at Old Trafford. But, a bigger decision will now be made by the Dutchman regarding whether he continues to stand by the players that put a shift in for him against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
United Can Get Fourth
After just three games of the season, it would be impossible to say that United won’t finish in the top four this season. The Red Devils are only four points off that position, and have just a point less than Chelsea, who may be their leading contenders for the fourth spot this term.
The final days of the transfer window will be crucial for United, as ten Hag needs to be backed, and the players that he wants to bring in must come through the door. If he gets the players through the door at Old Trafford, based on the evidence that we saw at Old Trafford, he could implement his plan and get the club back on track.
