Manchester United’s 2023-2024 season is in danger of going down as one of the worst in the club’s recent history.
The Red Devils lie in sixth place in the league, 11 points off teams in the Champions League places and are in serious danger of being overtaken by both West Ham and Newcastle. An eighth place finish would represent the club’s worst league finish since 1990, when they finished 13th but did manage to win the FA Cup – a potentially startling symmetry to this season.
The United defence has been incredibly suspect all season as they shipped 15 goals in just six Champions League group games, crashing out in last place in December. What’s more, no team in Europe’s top five leagues has faced more shots on goal than the Red Devils in 2024.
Of course, the players and manager need to have a long hard look in the mirror when this season is done and dusted, but there is another major reason behind this season’s pathetic displays – a scarcely believable list of absentees through injury, especially in defence.
Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have missed the majority of the season and they are arguably the club’s two most valuable defenders, not just in defending but also in Erik ten Hag’s build up play.
In fact, all the backline has been missing at some point during the season, resulting in an incredible 31 different back four combinations during the season. This was highlighted by Willy Kambwala and Harry Maguire being the only two fit centre backs to play in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Man Utd have started 31 different back lines in 43 matches this season:
1.AWB, Varane, Martinez, Shaw
2.AWB, Varane, Martinez, Dalot
3.AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot
4.Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
5.AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
6.Dalot, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon… pic.twitter.com/UTppmMPR8S— Alice Abrahams (@AliceTalksFooty) April 7, 2024
When analysing the names, it can be seen that the only real consistent in the defensive line as of late has been Diogo Dalot and perhaps it is no surprise that he has been enjoying arguably the best season of his career, highlighted by his fine display versus Liverpool at the weekend.
The Portuguese international has played 26 times in 31 Premier League matches. However, nobody else has been able to play for any considerable stretch of time in the first eleven.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has played 13 times, Raphael Varane 16, Victor Lindelof 11, Harry Maguire 14 times and even the 36 year old Jonny Evans has started nine times and been subbed on many more. This means that many players have had decent game time, but really no central defender has been able to consolidate their place in the team, never mind having two continuously available to form an actual partnership.
The left back is the most ridiculous situation where Tyrell Malacia has not played all season and Shaw has only played 11 matches with a few of them being in the centre back position.
In total, there have been six different left backs used this season with only two of them being recognised left full backs, Shaw and Sergio Reguilon. Sofyan Amrabat, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have all had to deputise in the unfamiliar role.
Ten Hag perplexed fans once again during his post-match press conference when he claimed his side played very well despite dominated in terms of shots and possession against their arch-rivals.
However, one comment he made did make a whole lot of sense. Without being able to field anything close to a consistent back four, it is normal that they players can’t build up routines or patterns to understand one another.
There is much talk about the pursuit of sporting directors and the upcoming transfer window but perhaps the most important piece of business INEOS carry out will be connected to the ongoing investigation of the massive failings of the current medical team employed at Old Trafford.
It is vital to not let any player or manager off the hook but at the same time it is worth considering, could any team actually be successful defensively under such ridiculous circumstances?
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