Enzo Fernández was furious in face to face with Mason Mount yesterday: “This is Chelsea, you c*nt!”, told former Blues midfielder
Approximately 14 matches ago, during the FA Cup third round triumph over Wigan Athletic at the outset of 2024, Manchester United held their opponents to fewer than 16 shots for the last time.
Their defense successfully limited the opposition to under 20 shots on goal only five weeks and six games prior, during their 1-0 away victory against Nottingham Forest.
Remarkably, Manchester United unleashed a staggering 134 shots in their last five matches, yet only managed to convert 11 of them into goals, which is a statistic bordering on the miraculous. The porous defense can be attributed to various factors.
Persistent injuries throughout the season have plagued the backline, resulting in consistent frustration for the team.
With Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans succumbing to injuries during the clash against Chelsea, only two center backs are presently fully fit.
Furthermore, Tyrell Malacia has been sidelined for the entire season due to a chronic knee injury, while Luke Shaw’s absence has outweighed his presence on the field this season.
Additionally, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has often been left to fend for himself, exacerbating defensive vulnerabilities. Even pivotal player Casemiro, now plagued by injury concerns, has underperformed this season, ultimately deflecting accountability from Erik ten Hag.
Initially touted as a pragmatic coach upon his arrival, Ten Hag has rarely exhibited such traits on the field. Despite mounting defensive concerns, he remains unperturbed by the number of shots conceded by his team, dismissing any defensive issues as “ludicrous.”
Asserting the team’s defensive prowess, he highlighted their fourth-place ranking in goals conceded in the league, attributing any lapses to individual errors rather than systemic flaws. However, during his post-match press conference, Ten Hag acknowledged specific defensive errors, emphasizing the importance of making correct decisions and minimizing individual mistakes to shore up their defensive solidity.
