1. Ten Hag’s Two Treasures
In his first transfer season at Man United, Erik ten Hag focused on strengthening the midfield with two top-class midfielders, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. These 2 stars have been the main factor in the progress of the Reds so far. They also made a strong impression against Bournemouth.
Casemiro is too explosive.
Eriksen played the role of assist for Casemiro to score. The pair are forging a formidable partnership. That was the goal in the second consecutive game of the Danish conductor at Old Trafford. Eriksen has now provided eight assists for the Red Devils since signing for the Old Trafford side on a free transfer in July.
Meanwhile, Casemiro continues to show the difference in midfield. Not only has the ability to defend well, he can also develop the ball, participate in the attack, create assists, score goals.
2. Luck turned away from Van de Beek
Donny van de Beek returned to United’s starting line-up for the first time since November, and played well, but he didn’t even finish the first half. The Dutchman was injured after a malicious tackle, and looked in pain as he left the field.
Obviously luck has turned against Van de Beek much since he arrived at Old Trafford. The former Ajax star may be running out of opportunities to show himself in the Red Devils shirt.
3. The comprehensiveness of Luke Shaw
Shaw has excelled at centre-back this past week, but the England star has shown he can contribute much at left-back.
Shaw scored his second Red Devils goal from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross. It was also his second goal of the season, and his first at Old Trafford since 2018, on the opening day of the season against Leicester. Shaw also made a big contribution in Man United’s third goal, when he opened the ball great for Bruno Fernandes to escape to assist Marcus Rashford to score.
Red Devils are really scary.
4. Diogo Dalot is backIt’s positive to see Diogo Dalot make an impressive comeback from the injury he sustained in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal. Dalot came on for Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the last 21 and put on a sharp performance.
Dalot can be started in the FA Cup on Friday, but it is also impossible to ignore Wan-Bissaka – a big contributor to helping the Reds keep 4 clean sheets in a row. At least, Ten Hag can be assured of Man United’s right-back position until the end of the season.
5. Startled with the chart
With 3 complete points obtained, Man United continues to secure 4th place in the Premier League table. However, it should be noted that the Red Devils are level on points with the third-placed team Newcastle United, and are playing one game less.
It is quite surprising that the difference between them and Man City at the moment is only 1 point. This is something few would think of if they witnessed the two disastrous defeats of coach Ten Hag’s teachers and students at the beginning of the season. Many people still talk about the two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City, but Man United quietly approached and showed that they can also be a candidate.
Minh Tuan | 06:30 04/01/2023
