Manchester United's Season Woes: Consistency and Concentration Challenges

 Manchester United's Season Woes: Consistency and Concentration Challenges

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag gives instructions to Casemiro of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League match Group Stage Group A between Manchester United and Galatasaray at Old Trafford on October 3, 2023 in Manchester, England.(Image-Getty)

Manchester United's underwhelming start to the season can be attributed to a lack of consistency throughout the full 90 minutes of their matches, with players' concentration l evels wavering at crucial moments, according to manager Erik ten Hag's analysis on Friday.

The team finds itself in a challenging position, sitting 10th in the Premier League after seven games, with a record of three wins and four defeats. The slump includes a series of disappointing home losses at Old Trafford, notably a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and a 3-2 setback against Galatasaray.

Ten Hag addressed the issue of inconsistency, stating, "Consistency is the problem we are grappling with. While we do many things right in significant portions of the games, we also have moments where we struggle, and in those moments, we can't hold our ground."

He emphasized the importance of maintaining concentration and executing consistently, especially during critical moments such as scoring or conceding goals. Ten Hag mentioned that the team has discussed ways to improve and has made agreements to address the problem, recognizing that it involves more than just concentration.

Marcus Rashford, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, has faced criticism in the current campaign, having only netted one league goal so far. However, Ten Hag offered his support to the 25-year-old forward, describing it as a phase and expressing confidence in Rashford's ability to regain his form.

"Strikers, when they go through scoring droughts, require a breakthrough moment, and it will come," Ten Hag commented, highlighting Rashford's experience and stating that when both Rashford and the team are in sync, he will excel.

Regarding the player Antony, Ten Hag mentioned that he is "ready to start" for the first time since returning to the squad after being involved in police investigations related to assault allegations made by his former girlfriend. Antony had previously come on as a substitute against Galatasaray.

Jadon Sancho remains unavailable due to a disciplinary issue, while Sergio Reguilon is sidelined due to injury.