Manchester United have played about half the season and I think this would be a good time to analyze how they’re doing. I feel like at the beginning there was this sense of unpredictability about them. They were playing on the edge and there were issues swirling around. The entire Ronaldo problem was such a distraction and I think Erik Ten Hag dealt with it really well. He has shown he is a leader and someone who these players need to listen to. I think Manchester United are finally a United team.
All this excitement is building around them and for the right reason. The entire team is in good form and everyone is contributing. The way they play now is commanding, like how City dominates the game. I feel like Casemiro might be United’s best signing in the last few years. He is such a talented midfielder and was a great buy for Ten Hag. He is really good defensively and controls the midfield. United’s best player right now without a doubt is Marcus Rashford. He looks like a man on a mission and is playing exceptionally. He is not afraid to take on the defender and is using his speed as an advantage. Since the World Cup, he has been flying and bringing the team with him. He’s getting a lot of goal involvements and will be a key factor moving forward. Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes have linked up really nicely. It’s added that extra creativity and innovation to this team. Both have top class passing and have that vision to make special plays.
United have a big stretch upcoming and I think this will tell us a lot about them. They have EFL Cup midweek, then play a enormous Manchester derby on Saturday, a rescheduled PL game the following Wednesday at Selhurst Park, and close out this heavy run of fixtures at the Emirates to face Arsenal. City and Arsenal are two big clubs that will force United to their ultimate best. These two games will tell how serious the Red Devils are and if they can challenge the big clubs at the top of the table. They have to be organized and play very well defensively against the Gunners and City.
Everything is going swimmingly for Manchester United right now but we’ll see if that is the case by the end of January. They’re 4th place with a chance to tack on some more. Can Manchester United delight Old Trafford with a Manchester derby win? Will they stun league leading Arsenal and show they are contenders?
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