They have lost crucial advantages by conceding late goals, costing them important points in their race to finish in Champions League spots.
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Manchester United would hope to put their recent disappointments behind them when they host Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday. It is a game that will heavily be in United’s favour due to their superior position in the Premier League table. The Red Devils are in seventh place, while Sheffield are languishing at the bottom spot. It looks highly unlikely that the Blades will survive the relegation this term.
Having said that Manchester United‘s form is neither great. Seeing United lose leads has become a trend in recent weeks. They have lost crucial advantages by conceding late goals, costing them important points in their race to finish in Champions League spots. It almost proved costly this weekend as well. United were cruising at one point against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final, taking a comfortable 3-0 lead.
As it turns out, the Red Devils were unable to hold on to it and allowed Coventry to get back into the game and make it 3-3 in injury time. Man United then went on to win it in a thrilling penalty shootout to book a final date with Manchester City. In that game, United suffered a few injury concerns, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford picking up some problems. Ahead of their Premier League contest against Sheffield United, Erik ten Hag gave an update on the injury situation.
“So we had a problem with [Alejandro] Garnacho, that’s why we took him off during the game but I think he will be fine. Scott McTominay, we have to assess today. That is really doubtful. Marcus Rashford is also doubtful and then there was an issue with Bruno Fernandes, with the hand. But I think he can make it. So we have some doubts going into the game tomorrow,” ten Hag, quoted on the club’s website, said in his press conference.
The manager was also not happy with some of the reaction from their Sunday’s hard-fought FA Cup semi-final triumph. “In top football, it is about results and we made it to the final and we deserved it. Not only by this game but also the other games and we lost, in 20 minutes, control. Then also we had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, [that is] clear. Penalties was very good and we made it to the final and that is a huge achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. So the comments [from the media] are a disgrace,” he explained.
Ten Hag spoke about the importance of his side seeing out their leads but he also stressed on their worrying injury situation, with the club still missing several key players. “First of all, the most important thing we can do is put ourselves in a winning position by good structure and we have seen that over many occasions. Really good structure, as you can see with the first goal and also in other games. But then, of course, you have to bring the game over the line. There are more issues, some have to do with mentality, something also physicality,” he explained.
The manager added: “We don’t have the tools in this moment, as well, because we don’t even have [a fit squad]. We already, as a back four, have to make compromises and be really creative to construct that back four but then we can’t replace players. So what you need is a full squad and then you can take your measures from the side to repair things. But also it’s a matter of mentality, also some game reading. When the opponent takes more risks, there we have to improve. But as I say, also you need a full squad to repair that.”
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