Staff takeaways from Manchester United’s weekend draw with Fulham.
Vince: United Are Lifeless
Manchester United are playing with the energy level of a retirement home right now. There’s no spark, no pace, no urgency — honestly, there’s very little that resembles a team that actually wants to be out there. Everything feels slow and predictable, and when United need someone to grab the game and change the tempo, nobody seems capable of doing it.
I love Bruno Fernandes, but man, I wish the Bruno from last season was playing. He
just hasn’t looked like himself. Right now, Kobbie Mainoo might be the only player who looks worth his contract. He brings energy, wants the ball and at least looks like he’s trying to make something happen.
Hopefully Carlos Baleba lives up to the hype because this midfield desperately needs something. United look slow, flat and far too easy to play against. Talent isn’t the biggest concern right now — it’s the complete lack of intensity. This team needs a spark, and it needs one quickly.
Colin: Clock is Ticking
The recent results don’t tell a total story, but they don’t hide any of the worries that skeptics had entering the season. The squad’s depth issues were laid bare almost immediately and despite some good options in midfield and up front the formula just hasn’t clicked for Michael Carrick in the early season. The return of players will help, extra training for players removing themselves from national team duty should help, but there will be a big focus on what happens in October when everyone is back for another round of matches.
Manchester United aren’t quite the crisis club at this international break, but they aren’t far off. Chelsea isn’t looking so hot either at the moment, but neither is in as bad of a state as United’s next Premier League opponents: Tottenham Hotspur.
The meeting on Oct. 10 at Old Trafford will be a major one for Michael Carrick. Lose and it’ll be treated as the beginning of the end. Draw and the same feeling of dread will continue to creep as lost points float away. The only way to fix things is by winning. It will have to cover up some of the cracks in the club as a whole, but it also buys everyone time to keep doing their jobs and avoid another midseason inquest on what the hell we do now.
