How long can Manchester United’s slump go on? Premier League hits and misses | Football News

How long can Manchester United’s slump last?

“With bad results, it’s really hard to sell the idea,” Ruben Amorim said Sky Sports Before Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle. “I was hired because of that mindset, and in these tough times, if you change your mind, that’s the end of any coach.” But sticking to that idea also causes problems.

Manchester United were in disarray from the start against Newcastle. Part of that is down to a lack of confidence. The dismal sight of Joshua Zirkzee being booed off the pitch before half-time was emblematic of a group of players unhappy with their work.

But the system is supposed to make their jobs easier, not harder, and whatever your view of the squad Amorim inherited, it’s increasingly difficult to argue that that’s not at least part of the problem.

Diogo Dalot was positioned so high up the pitch that it would have been more natural to have a left-winger there than a right-back before, when he got the ball he could only shovel it in rather than provide any real width.

Nussair Mazraui did little better at the other end and Matthijs de Ligt does not want to be drawn into wide areas like Alexander Isak was. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few who is said to suit this formation and he endured red on a miserable evening.

Amorim would certainly have preferred to take this job last summer or next rather than be on the loaded roster and be asked to fix the issues right away.

That remains the hope, but surely United must take that rebuild on the back foot, which is in doubt even before his first full season in charge. public and its leaders.

Amorim does not need a trophy. The season outside of Europe can make things even simpler. Just a function.But a third straight Premier League defeat without scoring is unacceptable even in this low slump.
Adam Bate

Chelsea are getting better and really desperate.

It takes something special to get a 10/10 Sky Sports Player ratings.

Well, Liam Delap is something special.

There were fears before the match that the start could be delayed due to the road closure as the army investigated a possible unexploded ordnance near the ground.

Delap’s storming display lit up Portman’s way like New Year’s Eve fireworks. He was simply unbearable.

A one-man wrecking ball tearing through the Chelsea defence, he wins his own penalty, which of course he dispatches before setting up Omari Hutchinson, to really add extra sting to the result for the Chelsea fans.

As Ipswich stood up to defend their box under immense pressure from Chelsea, Delap’s ability to fill the pitch was priceless. Kieran McKenna gave him a well-deserved standing ovation as he sent him off at half-time. A true legend is born. And Ipswich now have real hopes of survival with a player of such potential in their ranks.
Lewis Jones

Chelsea’s B-Team fail the A-Team audition

With a hectic holiday schedule, Enzo Maresca made five changes to the side that suffered a defeat at Fulham on Boxing Day.

Filip Jorgensen, Axel Dassi, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku were among those brought in by Maresca to avoid a second straight defeat.

Jorgensen was on the wrong end of the drama with just 10 minutes remaining when he was adjudged to have tackled Liam Delap in the box.

Despite a strong display thereafter, Chelsea were chasing the game from the penalty spot, with Disassi gifting Ipswich a second goal five days after Christmas with a weak back pass into the path of Delap, who chipped Omari Hutchinson.

Joao Felix, who had a goal disallowed for offside, was unable to secure an equalizer as he was sent off seconds after Ipswich’s second goal. Christopher Nkunku struggled to replicate his form in cup competitions, missing a big chance to equalize and losing six tackles. in an otherwise anonymous demo ahead.

There was a lot of talk about Maresca’s big squad before the start of the season, but at the halfway point it’s clear who Maresca can count on.
William Bitibiri

Villa fall short but Watkins stakes claim to start

Despite the late equalizer, Watkins was the starting striker against Brighton.

The England international returned to Villa’s starting line-up for the first time in three Premier League games following John Duran’s suspension and made it count.

He had scored more goals against Brighton than any other team in the game and took his tally to seven with his first-half penalty.

Last season’s Playmaker of the Season award winner put these credentials on full display soon after the restart, helping Rodgers too.

Celebrating his 29th birthday that day, Watkins got the perfect gift with this performance, possibly earning him a starting spot in the lineup, but it will be slightly marred by the late chances he failed to convert.

Villa have two top strikers vying for that role and seem to get the best of both when they are on the pitch.
Pat Rowe

Seagulls stall European bid under Hurzeler

Brighton’s promising start under Fabian Hurtzeler has faded and their hopes of European qualification 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 are the only team to have conceded more points from winning positions this season (19). Hurtseller’s side are full of exciting young players, but their style, especially at home, has been tough. nine in total is not enough for a team with such talent.

More worryingly, Brighton’s winless streak hasn’t been against any of the top teams.They’ve failed to beat Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Fulham. and Southampton.

After spending almost £200m in the summer, the pressure is on for Hurtseller to improve in the second half of the season and after picking up a fourth yellow card, he needs to stop worrying about the officials’ play and focus on living up to expectations.
David Richardson