S
The faith in Manchester United has fallen low, so it was not unexpected to see them struggle. Despite having a two-goal lead and seeming to be in control, they ultimately conceded two goals from Newport and began to falter. This is reminiscent of the Manchester United team of 2024, which has been similar to the team of the past decade.
If they were to successfully cross the Welsh border and feel relieved, there is still a significant distance to cover. The efforts needed to achieve greatness are immeasurably greater than those that result in small improvements. Even while attending a match at Newport, ranked 16th in League Two, and trading fancy drinks and sandwiches for simple cups and onions, United cannot guarantee a peaceful experience.
Similar to Sir Dave Brailsford’s presence at Rodney Parade and his comprehensive assessment of the United team, there are ambitious goals for a South Wales club that has faced numerous challenges. Just as Big Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are involved in the takeover, former Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is leading the efforts. A televised rematch would have been a great start but unfortunately, it was not meant to be as Rasmus Højlund’s celebration in the final moments highlighted his past frustrations with a team that had not supported him enough.
The hot topic in town was about County fans spending £400 per ticket. Despite talk of faded glory and a flawed foundation, Manchester United remains a formidable team. Additionally, this team will always bring an intense level of competition.
Altay Bayindir, dressed in tight clothing, was making his first appearance as the goalkeeper for United. He is currently on a short loan, filling in for André Onana, who recently finished playing in the Africa Cup of Nations. Onana’s statistics for the tournament include one match played, no saves, two altercations, and at least one use of a private jet. Despite being barracked by the home fans from the start of the game, Bayindir, who has experience playing in intense Turkish football matches, remained focused. This was not his first time playing in Wales either; during the Euro qualifiers in November, his saves prevented Rob Page’s team from securing automatic qualification.
Will Evans made some saves and James Clarke’s header seemed to calm the team’s nerves. However, Newport scored a goal through Bryn Morris which was deflected off Lisandro Martínez and went past the goalkeeper. Just two minutes into the second half, Evans scored a low finish. This was his first experience playing against Manchester United.
In addition, Bayindir, it appears that Erik ten Hag chose his team lineup in order to avoid the possibility of being fired, as the home fans had loudly predicted. This prediction became louder after Evans scored a goal. The reason for Marcus Rashford’s continued absence is unknown and has been referred to as an “internal matter”. However, the inclusion of Martínez and Luke Shaw in defense, and Casemiro partnering with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield for the first time since last summer’s tour, suggests that the team was playing with their strongest players to prevent hasty decisions being made about the manager’s future by Sir Jim and Sir Dave.
The atmosphere was peaceful after Bruno Fernandes scored the first goal, causing the crowd to quiet down. Newport’s defenders were pulled out of position due to an attack overload. The same scenario occurred when Diogo Dalot assisted Mainoo in scoring his first goal for United. These goals followed the typical overload-plus-cutback strategy that United tries to execute every week in the Premier League, though they usually struggle to do so successfully. The United supporters, scattered throughout a temporary stand that brought the total attendance close to 10,000, did not show too much enthusiasm for these early goals. To obtain a ticket to watch United play in South Wales, one had to attend nearly every game this season and therefore knew of the team’s tendency to make mistakes.
Pass over the advertisement for the newsletter.
after newsletter promotion
During a weekend of reflection on Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the stark contrast between his success in utilizing the club’s recruitment and United’s constant struggle to develop talent is evident. Among the all-blonde offensive trio at Rodney Parade, Alejandro Garnacho is the only one not yet affected by the underwhelming performances that have plagued many United signings. However, until he scored, Højlund seemed to be falling victim to this trend.
After Newport successfully made their comeback, they were determined to continue their momentum and achieve a significant feat. However, in their pursuit, they neglected their defensive positioning, which allowed Højlund to express his frustration as Garnacho’s cross was out of his reach. Meanwhile, Antony, who was supposed to defend the back post, was missing in action. Fortunately, he was present for United’s third goal, which eased the tension and was scored with his rarely used right foot.
Antony’s celebration, like Højlund’s later on, appeared to be a form of personal redemption. This could be seen as another indication that the players of Manchester United 2024 prioritize their personal success over the team’s and the club’s future. It is possible that this mindset could be the starting point for the team’s rebuilding process.
Source: theguardian.com
