SONIC AND Not a ‘cuddly’ display by Reds as Burnley give them problems
IF you are getting especially pumped up for a particular game, Burnley at home is not the most obvious choice.
If you are determined to prove some sort of point about your commitment and your work ethic, Burnley at home would not be the most appropriate fixture to do it in.
And if you had not scored a Premier League goal all season, having a choreographed celebration – and a cuddly toy – at the ready would seem to be a bit rich.
In fact, it might seem to symbolise what is fundamentally wrong with your game. Perhaps you rate yourself far too highly.
In fact, it might seem to symbolise what is fundamentally wrong with your
If you had not scored a League goal all season, a choreographed celebration – and a toy – would seem a bit rich
team’s game. Perhaps they have rated themselves far too highly for far too long.
The cuddly toy held aloft by Antony was actually Sonic the Hedgehog – perhaps a reference to the fact that while the Brazilian was making his 27th Premier League appearance of the campaign, he has actually been hibernating all season.
Him and a few others.
Possession
That Antony’s late goal – well-taken but with considerable help from Sander Berge’s misplaced pass – did not prove to be a winner was down to Andre Onana’s unsurprising rush of blood that gave Burnley their leveller from the penalty-spot.
But it was also down to United’s addiction to giving the opposition attacking practice.
Vincent Kompany’s side had 16 attempts on goal and had the majority of possession.
Yes, that’s right. Burnley had the majority of possession at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag was jeered when he withdrew Kobbie Mainoo and there were boos at the final whistle. Performances and results such as these ones are making Ten Hag’s position untenable. Cruel to say, but fair.
And one of the players who will, more than likely, cost him his job is Antony.
Ten Hag, of course, is that player’s main sponsor so in the event of a managerial change, Antony does need to win some hearts and minds.
Amongst the fanbase, amongst the new executive hierarchy. Not that those new bosses will have many Antonyrelated options this summer.
If they want him out, United are going to have to take a huge hit on the £85million they gave to an incredulous
Ajax. The respected website Transfermarkt has his current value booked at £25million. And that is being generous.
With his lumpy contract running until 2027, Antony is either an asset or a problem for a long time to come.
It is more likely he will be a problem but at least there was the odd hint
against Burnley that he could be an asset. Of particular significance was his defensive diligence, although his first-half yellow card was a reflection on his tackling issues.
Dangerous
But for an hour of this game, he was probably United’s most dangerous player and should have done better with a couple of presentable chances early in the second half.
Alejandro Garnacho was similarly wasteful but Burnley enjoyed the same sort of opportunities at the other end.
With the greatest respect to Burnley, the most damning thing you could say about this current United side is that
we saw two evenly matched teams at Old Trafford.
Let’s be brutally frank here – as much as it might upset Ten Hag to say it – this is an ordinary Manchester United who will win some, lose some, draw some.
To be spectacularly fair to Ten Hag, he has suffered – more than most – from a relatively unrelenting injury crisis but that is still no excuse for the plethora of mediocre performances this season.
And ultimately, he has to take a significant share of the blame.
He has repeatedly claimed this team is more accomplished than it actually is. He has, seemingly, turned a blind 2 2
eye to its shortcomings. But those shortcomings are there for all, including the Sir Jim Ratcliffe brigade, to see.
It’s not looking good for Erik.
FOR EVERY MATCH REPORT
FULHAM 1 C PALACE 1 NEWCASTLE 5 SHEFF UTD 1 WOLVES 2 LUTON 1 EVERTON 1 BRENTFORD 0 ASTON VILLA 2 CHELSEA 2