In their first Premier League game of the season, Manchester United faced Leicester City at Old Trafford. Starting with a 4-3-3 formation, United played De Gea in goal and Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, and Shaw in defense.
Fred started his first game at Old Trafford alongside Pereira and Pogba, who captained United on the night, as the three in a dynamic midfield. Ahead of them, Sanchez and Mata started on either side of Rashford, who played as the main striker.
It was United’s strongest team from the players available for selection. Interestingly, Martial and Lukaku started from the bench, both options for Mourinho if he wanted to change things later on.
United took the lead through Pogba, who scored his first Premier League goal of the 2018/19 season from the penalty spot. United then doubled their lead through a fine strike from Luke Shaw.
Leicester pulled one back in the injury time when Vardy capitalized on a defensive lapse to put pressure on United toward the end of the game. However, United held on to their lead and gained their first 3 points of the season.
Even with the win, United did have a few concerns from the game. We take a look at three such areas of improvement, which Mourinho must address before the away game against Brighton and Hove Albion next Sunday.
1. Poor form of Darmian
Matteo Darmian played at right back for United against Leicester City, in the absence of Valencia. He made 2 interceptions, the highest among the defenders, and also had an attempt on goal.
However, those were his only high points in the game. He was regularly bullied by Gray and looked like the only weak spot in an otherwise assured defense. He had to attempt 5 tackles, the highest in his team because Gray was easily brushing him aside.
Bailly had to bail him out a couple of times and Darmian also committed a foul, the only foul by a United defender in the game. He also registered the least clearances among the defenders – just three.
Darmian really needs to step up his game before Sunday. He needs to join the attack more often and also get his positioning and placement right. He is not blessed with pace and as such, needs to work on his technique to ensure he is not caught off-guard.
2. Rashford was ineffective as a No. 9
Rashford spearheaded United’s attack against Leicester City and it was a game to forget for the English teenager. He was on the field for 67 minutes, yet did not attempt a single shot on goal.
On the contrary, Lukaku replaced him and played for 23 minutes, having a shot on target which could have easily been a goal. Rashford’s other two partners in attack, Mata and Sanchez both had an attempt on goal each.
Luke Shaw and Pogba had two, both of which were on target and even Darmian had an attempt on goal. Rashford was full of running and pressing, and even attempted a cross, but it is time now for him to stand up and be counted.
Unless Lukaku starts against Brighton, Rashford needs to do a lot more through the middle. He has a powerful striking ability and he has to put it to good use. He must hold the ball better and he must improve his decision-making abilities.
Most of United’s counter-attacks fell flat when the ball reached Rashford and the youngster needs to build an understanding with his attacking partners pretty soon.
3. Lack of a uniform intensity throughout
United started the game strong but lost their intensity after the first 15 minutes. This is a worrying sign because when they come up against stronger and faster opposition, such lack of concentration could allow the other team into the game.
Scoring a goal and holding on for a result is not a tactic that works anymore, it is dangerous and without Shaw’s goal, it could have cost United. Leicester had more possession, more touches and even attempted more passes in the game.
United did perform better in the second half, however, Mourinho must be concerned about the inability of the players to hold on to their intensity for longer periods. The competition this season is a lot tougher and not an inch will be surrendered to the opposition without a fight
As such, United must build a habit of maintaining a steady level of intensity throughout the game, and they must do this early on in the season.