An 8th placed finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season. Their lowest in the modern Premier League era. A magical FA Cup victory against their fierce city rivals Manchester City in May came only a few weeks after their lowest low of losing to Crystal Palace 4-0 away from home. The 2024-25 season is the first under the new administration. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS purchased a 27.7% share in December of 2023, and assumed control of footballing operations in February. But as it is with United, it seems like a new season, but the same old story. What on earth is going on at Manchester United?
The summer following the FA Cup final win pointed in the right direction for Man United. Five new arrivals marked a clear statement of intent by the new administration. The signings of Joshua Zirkzee, a young Dutch striker from Bologna, and Lenny Yoro, the wonderkid centre-back from Lille showed that United were willing to invest for the future and show faith in the youth as manager Erik ten Hag did in the previous season. The defensive duo of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were bought from Bayern München, and close to deadline day, the Uruguayan defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, the long sought deal of the window for United, was added to the ranks. They even showed financial responsibility, negotiating all these deals for an estimated total of €214 million. There was a clear strategy of signing players with their best years ahead of them. Mazraoui being the oldest signing is an indicator, as the Moroccan is only twenty-six years of age. There were many departures as well. United saw through twelve permanent exits, the most notable sales being two fan favourites of the club. Academy graduate, cult hero and late-goal scoring midfielder Scott McTominay was sold to Napoli. Aaron Wan-Bisakka, the most defensively acute full-back they possessed, left for West Ham United. Other departures saw veteran centre-back Raphael Varane to Como for free, and Donny van de Beek to Girona for next to free. Youngsters WIlly Kambwala, Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal Mejbri all departed for a fee. Controversial figure Jadon Sancho was sent on loan to rivals Chelsea. They were able to bring in an approximate €103 million.
All looked positive for the Red Devils, until a friendly against Arsenal, which saw a hamstring injury for young striker Rasmus Højlund and a fractured foot for Lenny Yoro, ruling them out for six weeks and three months respectively.
Their first game was the curtain raiser for the English season - the FA Community Shield against Man City. There were positive signs in the game as Alejandro Garnacho grabbed the lead late on in the game. But United were United, and Bernado SIlva was able to score a header from point-blank range to take it to penalties. Jonny Evans missed his penalty, giving the Shield to City. The first game of the Premier League saw United beat Fulham at Old Trafford, thanks to a late goal from debutant Zirkzee. However, the next game saw signs of old, as the Red Devils fell to another late goal, this time away at Brighton. And for the last game before the first international break, Man United took on fierce rivals Liverpool at home. And the game was a disaster-class for United. Three individual errors, forced by the high-pressing system of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot, led to three decisive and clinical goals. Two assists by the great Mohammed Salah to Luiz Diaz, and finally a goal for Salah himself buried United in this game. There was never a point where Old Trafford looked comfortable for the hosts. Mohammed Salah made it his school playground.
What next for Erik ten Hag and his men? They will be hosting their 3rd game of the season, against Southampton. His job was saved by two goals by two youngsters in the FA Cup final. Casemiro looks like a shadow of his Real Madrid self. The wings lack creativity, drive and penetration. Can Manuel Ugarte slot in for Casemiro and make an immediate impact? What could go right at the Theatre of Nightmares? How long will ten Hag have to fix this mess? All these questions remain to be answered.
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