No individual player is the answer to Manchester United’s problems | Jonathan Wilson
Casemiro display against Liverpool was painful, but the blame for United’s early season struggles sits with an incoherent structure
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In his beginning is his end; now the night falls. Two years ago, before their third game of the season, against Liverpool, having lost one of the games they’d played 2-1 to Brighton, Manchester United presented Casemiro before an adoring crowd at Old Trafford. At the weekend, before their third game of the season, against Liverpool, having lost one of the games they’d played 2-1 to Brighton, Manchester United withdrew Casemiro before a despairing crowd at Old Trafford. Two years ago, United won 2-1; on Sunday, they lost 3-0, and it could have been a lot worse.
It was, frankly, painful to watch: a player who once commanded games, who has won four Champions Leagues, been integral to one of the most successful sides in history, reduced to a player so devoid of confidence even the basics looked a challenge. The early signs this season had been promising. There was a sense that Casemiro was sharper again, that the concerns about his fitness that had plagued last season might have been surmounted. But on Sunday his pass accuracy was just 73%, way off what is acceptable for a defensive midfielder, and his errors cost the opening two goals.
And yet there is a context. Eleven minutes in to the second half, Kobbie Mainoo was dispossessed leading to Liverpool’s third. Manuel Ugarte, who was presented before kick-off after his £42m ($55m) move from Paris Saint-Germain, must have wondered what he’s got himself into. The United holding position is like the Siege Perilous in Arthurian legend; eventually one will come who is worthy of achieving the Grail but until then whoever takes that position is doomed.
It’s not just about individuals. United now seem to be in a similar position to the late Arsène Wenger-period Arsenal. The structure has failed and so hopes are placed in individuals. Which is daft enough when the player involved is as talented as Mesut Özil, but eventually you end up believing Nicolas Pépé is the answer to your prayers. Ugarte may turn out to be an upgrade on Casemiro, but no one player can ever be the answer.
Ugarte will need a better system around him and that’s where the focus begins to shift and the camera comes to rest on Erik ten Hag. Even with allowances for the position they inherited, how can it be that, three games into his reign at Anfield, Arne Slot has created a more coherent midfield than Ten Hag, now in his third year at Old Trafford, has managed. How can it be that, of all the former Ajax players in the pitch on Sunday, the best was Ryan Gravenberch?
