Another international break has given everyone time to reflect on the first 11 games of the Premier League season, and, safe to say, its been a tale of two halves for Manchester United in more than one way.
Having won just two and lost three of their opening six league games, Man Utd have since gone on a five-game unbeaten run, which has relieved the mounting pressure on Ruben Amorim and put the team in contention for a crack at the top four.
Despite improvements, Man United continue to be plagued by an inability to sustain it over a full 90 minutes with a startling difference between their first and second half performances and results. Its not just an eye test either, with so many stats to support the recurring issue.
Manchester United have conceded the most second half goals in the Premier League this season
Man United sit seventh in the table just one point off surprise package Sunderland in fourth and Chelsea in third. Both are among the five sides Amorims men have beaten in the league and each clash saw United lead 2-0 at half-time, albeit the Blues were down to 10 men inside five minutes. Brighton were also two goals down at the break at Old Trafford in October.
In fact, Amorim's side have led at half-time in all five games they have won so far this season, as well as the 2-2 draws with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur during each of the last two weekends. Those seven leading positions have come alongside 11 goals scored and four conceded and see them second in the half time table - if there is such a thing.
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1 | Manchester City | 23pts |
2 | MANCHESTER UNITED | 22pts |
3 | Crystal Palace | 21pts |
4 | Arsenal | 20pts |
5 | Chelsea | 19pts |
6 | AFC Bournemouth | 18pts |
Late goals have been a theme in these games, with late winners against Burnley (3-2) and Liverpool (2-1), as well as late equalisers against Forest and Spurs and a late clincher in the thrilling 4-2 win over Brighton. It could be a sign of the team spirit and mentality which appears to be growing in the side but also a concern given how often it is required.
And its required as Man Uniteds second half results and stats are incredibly poor. They have failed to win a single second half in the league this season, conceding 14 times and scoring just eight. The mental scars of so many collapses in recent seasons appear to still be healing, which is understandable, but there are other more tangible reasons for their drop-offs.
The most obvious is the importance of Casemiro. It feels like a sentence plucked from the 2022/23 season but the Brazilians stunning revival has seen him become a crucial member of Amorims side and the stats are quite something.
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15 | Nottingham Forest | 12pts |
16 | Newcastle United | 10pts |
17 | AFC Bournemouth | 9pts |
18 | MANCHESTER UNITED | 6pts |
19 | Leeds United | 6pts |
20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 5pts |
His near-inability to play 90 minutes, having done so only once all season, is a direct cause for Uniteds second half collapses, as is the impact of his regular replacement, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan has failed to impress giving credence to Amorims alleged claim that he is 'unrecognisable' from the player he worked with at Sporting.
Man United lose control without Casemiro but its not just Ugarte who is struggling off the bench. Just one goal contribution has come from a substitute in the league this season and that was defender Ayden Heavens long ball to Bryan Mbeumo at the death against Brighton.
The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have had minimal minutes and influence this season. The absence of any cup competitions has hampered them with fringe starters severely lacking in game time, match fitness and rhythm. With Benjamin Seskos injury return timeline unclear and Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui all heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next month, they will get chances but must take them.
Questions also have to be asked of Amorim's in-game management and use of substitutions. He made just two at Forest but then three in one go at Spurs, and the collective dip is alarming once changes are made.
Its undoing so much of the good work, and from the likes of Mbeumo, Matthijs de Ligt and Senne Lammens in particular, and theres really little excuse. With just one game a week, United should be finishing games stronger.
With the easiest five next fixtures in the league based on table position after the international break, Amorim has a huge opportunity to rectify this issue and move his side into the top four. Its the next step in Uniteds evolution and it may determine whether this season brings genuine progress or just more familiar frustration.
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