Is History repeating itself? Manchester United,have suffered two defeats in the opening three Premier League games for the first time in 26 years, while it had been 49 since seven or more goals were conceded in the same period.
When United began 1992-93 badly, they could at least go out and buy Eric Cantona in November; transfer windows mean an equivalent move now is impossible. The 2014-15 campaign began with a defeat and two draws, after which the club signed Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria before the end-of-August deadline. It lifted spirits among fans at the time but, in hindsight, how well planned were those signings?
Losing 3-0 at home, as United did against Tottenham on Monday, is indefensible for any football club, but manager Jose Mourinho tried to defend his team and was right to do so. It is true that the players were more aggressive than against Brighton and played well in the first half, though there appeared to be metal in the ball and a magnet on the wrong side of the Scoreboard End goal whenever a shot was taken.
When you wear No. 9 for Manchester United, you should score the chance that was presented to Romelu Lukaku after Danny Rose’s poor backpass in the first half. By contrast, Tottenham had fewer chances and took them. Game over. Once again, United’s response after falling behind was limited and ineffective.
The players who performed poorly at Brighton were dropped as six changes were made — Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Eric Bailly and Andreas Pereira did not even make the bench vs. Spurs — but such chopping and changing cannot happen every week. Somehow, this team must find a style and identity to see it through the season.
There was a lot of noise before, during and after Monday’s game because United are a huge story, even more so if they lose. Fans of other clubs can laugh and rightly cringe at United supporters asking for selfies with Spurs’ two-goal hero Lucas Moura, but most of the home support was a credit to the club.
As he showed in applauding the Stretford End for several minutes after the Spurs game, Mourinho certainly appreciates that and he retains backing from the majority of those at matches, but these are worrying times for fans.