Manchester United are doing very well in all four competitions and have reached their first domestic cup final in six years after making the crowning clash of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
There is reason for optimism under new manager Erik ten Hag, who has cured many of the ills that plagued the team last season.
One of the biggest was his defensive fragility that saw the Red Devils concede a record 57 times. They had the 13th worst defense in the league, something not expected from the English giants.
ETH improved the defense by ousting previous regulars
Ten Hag quickly realized that improving defense was the first priority. And the Dutchman did exactly that by bringing in Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro for big money.
The former Ajax manager has settled on the partnership of World Cup winners Raphael Varane and Martinez with the much-maligned pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof acting as backup.
And the 20-time English league champions have the joint fifth-best defensive record this term and are improving by the day.
*Lindelof transfer rumors* ???????????? Eintracht Frankfurt were interested in Lindelof at the end of the just concluded transfer window, as BILD said. Victor was said to be interested in the move, but Man United boss Erik ten Hag blocked the transfer. #MUFC #ManUtd #ManUnited #ManchesterUnited pic.twitter.com/YT2nbAdWIm
– MUMU Football (@MUMUfootball) February 2, 2023
The lack of starts for both Maguire and Lindelof had led them to leave the club during the January transfer window.
According to Bild, Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt fell through with a deadline day loan offer for the Swede after the manager stepped in and blocked the move.
They had been encouraged to sign the Swedish international due to his lack of minutes and the fact that the player himself had expressed interest in the play.
Lindelof wanted to move but ETH blocked the deal
“Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche (42) was still working on a really exciting central defender: Victor Lindelöf.
“Lindelöf has often been on the bench or in the stands in England recently. However, the new coach Erik ten Hag ultimately did not want to let him go.
“According to the information from BILD, the player himself would have liked to come to Frankfurt,” the report added.
Lindelof has started just four times in the Premier League and hasn’t played any of the big games. Most of his starts have been in the Europa League and the League Cup.
But the Dutch coach does not want to lose coverage considering Varane’s injury history and the large number of games ahead. Lindelof still has a crucial role to play if United is successful this season.
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