How long can Manchester United’s slump last? Premier League hits and misses | Football news
How long can Man Utd’s slump last?
“With bad results, it’s really hard to sell an idea,” said Ruben Amorim Sky Sports before Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle. “I was hired because of that idea, and in these difficult moments if you change your mind, it’s the end for every coach.” But holding on to that idea also brings problems.
Manchester United were in chaos from the start against Newcastle. Some of these are players who have lost confidence. The sad sight of Joshua Zirkzee being booed off the field before half-time was emblematic of a group of players who look disaffected in their jobs.
But the system should make their job easier, not harder, and whatever your opinion of the quality of the squad Amorim inherited, it’s increasingly difficult to argue that it isn’t at least part of the problem. Too many of them look uncomfortable in their roles.
Diogo Dalot was stationed so high up the pitch for most of the game that it would have been more natural to have a left winger instead of the former right back. When he got the ball, he could only slot it inside, rather than providing any real width.
Noussair Mazraoui did a little better on the other flank and Matthijs de Ligt doesn’t want to be dragged into wide areas like Alexander Isak did. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few who they say fits this form and he survived a miserable night in red.
Amorim would no doubt have preferred to land this job last summer or next summer, rather than being dragged into a congested fixture list and asked to solve problems on the fly. But the hope would be that he could manage and build for next season.
That remains the hope, but surely United need to step up or risk starting that rebuild on the back foot, as it was doubted even before his first full season in charge. The idea of selling, as he himself admits, exists – both to the players, to the audience, and to their bosses.
Amorim doesn’t need a trophy. A season outside of Europe might even simplify things. No expectation of United fire. Just a function. But the third league defeat in a row without a goal is unacceptable even at these low levels.
Adam Bate
Chelsea recovers and is indeed betrayed!
A 10/10 rating takes something special Sky Sports Player ratings.
Well, Liam Delap is something special.
There were fears before the game that kick-off could be delayed due to road closures as the army examines a possible unexploded ordnance near the ground. That device was found to be safe – but Delap was about to set it on fire.
Delap’s barnstorming performance lit up Portman Road like fireworks on New Year’s Eve. He was simply unplayable.
A one-man wrecking ball, weaving his way through Chelsea’s defence, winning his own penalty which of course he converted before setting up Omari Hutchinson to really add extra sting to the scoreline for the Chelsea fans. He is one of theirs that they release in the summer.
When Ipswich were on their toes defending their midfield under heavy pressure from Chelsea, Delap’s ability to charge the ball upfield was invaluable. Kieran McKenna gave him the standing ovation his performance deserved by taking him off in stoppage time. A legend was indeed born. And Ipswich now have real hopes of survival with a player of this potential in their ranks.
Lewis Jones
Members of Chelsea’s B-team failed their audition for the A-team
Forced by a busy holiday schedule, Enzo Maresca made five changes to the team that suffered defeat by Fulham on Boxing Day.
Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku were among those brought in by Maresca to avoid a second straight defeat.
Jorgensen found himself on the wrong end of the drama with just 10 minutes on the clock when he was adjudged to have brought down Liam Delap in the penalty area.
Despite the good play after that, Chelsea were chasing the game after the penalty. Disasi gave Ipswich their second goal, five days after Christmas, with a relaxed back pass into the path of Delap who equalized for Omari Hutchinson.
Joao Felix, who had a goal disallowed for offside, could not be trusted to equalize as he was hooked seconds after Ipswich’s second. Christopher Nkunku struggled to replicate his cup form, missing a great chance to equalize and losing six tackles in an otherwise anonymous attack up front.
There was a lot of talk about Maresca’s large squad before the start of the season, but halfway through it is already clear who Maresca thinks he can rely on. Defeat against Ipswich would not do enough to change his mind.
William Bitibiri
Villa fell short, but Watkins’ stakes claim to be starting
Regardless of the late equaliser, Watkins took over as the first striker against Brighton.
The England international returned to Villa’s starting line-up for the first time in three Premier League games following Jhon Duran’s suspension and made it count.
He scored more goals against Brighton than any other team involved in this fixture and took his tally to seven with his first-half penalty.
Last season’s Playmaker of the Season award winner had these credentials on full display shortly after going on to assist Rogers.
Celebrating his 29th birthday that day, Watkins received the perfect gift in possibly winning his starting spot in the lineup with this performance, but it will be slightly marred by late odds that he failed to convert.
Villa have two top strikers vying for the role and seem to get the best out of both when they are on the pitch.
Pat Rowe
The Seagulls are stalling in the European offer under Hurzeler
Brighton’s promising start under Fabian Hurzeler has faded and their European qualification hopes will depend on turning draws into wins.
Their point at Aston Villa means they have failed to win any of their last seven league games for the first time since April 2022 under Graham Potter.
Fulham is the only team that has lost more points (19) from winning positions than Brighton this season. Hurzeler’s team is full of exciting young players, but their style, especially at home, is difficult. Five draws at the Amex – nine in total – is not enough for a team with such talent.
More worryingly, Brighton’s winless streak hasn’t come against any of the top teams. They failed to beat Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Fulham and Southampton.
After spending almost £200m in the summer, the pressure is mounting on Hurzeler to improve in the second half of the season. He needs to stop worrying about the performance of the referees after receiving his fourth yellow card and focus on living up to expectations.
David Richardson
