7
Manchester United had to be content with one point against fierce rivals Leeds United as they came back from two goals down to finish the game 2-2.
The Whites took the lead, both times from the start of each period, with Wilfried Gnonto scoring before the minute and Raphael Varane scoring an unfortunate own goal early in the second.
United showed heart when Marcus Rashford scored a stunning header to get the Red Devils back into contention before substitute Jadon Sancho pulled through to equalize, much to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.
Not solid in midfield
But in the end, the locals suffered due to the absence of their general midfielder Casemiro and playmaker Christian Erisken.
As soon as David de Gea had the ball, the centre-backs were allowed to have the ball but Leeds packed the midfield and closed off all passing angles to the middle.
Jack Harrison essentially blocked Marcel Sabitzer, who was making his first start, and Fred was also nowhere to be seen.
Fred and Sabitzer’s position has been hilarious in this game, neither of them seem comfortable sitting down, so they fight over who should take on the opposing player.
— Casey Evans (@Casey_Evans_) February 8, 2023
Ten Hag’s team this season have always counted on Casemiro and Eriksen to relieve the press, as they have the ability to find space in congested areas and know how to get the ball out.
But the Austrian is clearly not used to the intensity of the Premier League and he struggled to assert himself at times.
Fred was chaotic as usual with his erratic passes costing the team at times. Neither of the two midfielders supported themselves and nobody knew who should sit down and who should move forward.
ineffective weight
Wout Weghorst is not an objective man and that also allowed Leeds to hold up the pressure better, which changed when Rashford moved through the middle.
Weghorst wasn’t supposed to start game after game and it’s not the manager’s fault that he has to start as a substitute in big games.
In an ideal world, Weghorst, Fred and Sabitzer are all substitutes coming in to change the game.
Ten Hag’s injury and the team’s depth problems will remain in the next game against the same opposition. How will he roll the dice in a couple of days?
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