Hard to believe Leicester, who were 14 points ahead of United before the pandemic shut everything down, are out of a UCL place. United disappointed with a draw against West Ham, but came out deserved winners in their "play-off" against Leicester on Sunday. Leicester were missing 6 players and arguably the loss of Caglar had hurt them the most.
The decision to sign Fernandes has proven to be a the turning point. Fernandes wasn't quite as sharp on the day. He struggled to spot the pass and had trouble connecting on chances, but it was his pass that led to the penalty and it was he who put it away. That goal made all the difference and Lingard then made it safe. I don't think United would have gotten a UCL place without Fernandes.
Pogba has his swagger back. Having Fernandes in there has made things much easier for him and given him room to breathe. Matic too takes some of that burden off. United are playing very smooth football and look great on the ball. It will be hard for McTominay and Fred to return into the eleven at this rate.
I still think United need a couple of signings to get back in the kind of pomp that would allow them to win the EPL again. In particular, de Gea is no longer guaranteed to remain United's first choice in goal. Finding another keeper might be United's biggest priority in the summer.
I also think United need better wing-backs. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are big part of Liverpool's success. Wan Bissaka is great, but there is talk that he should play as a CB and I agree with that assessment. Two quality wing-backs or at least a quality left-back might be the final piece of the puzzle.
The decision to sign Fernandes has proven to be a the turning point. Fernandes wasn't quite as sharp on the day. He struggled to spot the pass and had trouble connecting on chances, but it was his pass that led to the penalty and it was he who put it away. That goal made all the difference and Lingard then made it safe. I don't think United would have gotten a UCL place without Fernandes.
Pogba has his swagger back. Having Fernandes in there has made things much easier for him and given him room to breathe. Matic too takes some of that burden off. United are playing very smooth football and look great on the ball. It will be hard for McTominay and Fred to return into the eleven at this rate.
I still think United need a couple of signings to get back in the kind of pomp that would allow them to win the EPL again. In particular, de Gea is no longer guaranteed to remain United's first choice in goal. Finding another keeper might be United's biggest priority in the summer.
I also think United need better wing-backs. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are big part of Liverpool's success. Wan Bissaka is great, but there is talk that he should play as a CB and I agree with that assessment. Two quality wing-backs or at least a quality left-back might be the final piece of the puzzle.
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