It is at all times one step ahead and two steps again with this Manchester United workforce.
Each time Erik ten Hag’s aspect seemed to have turned a nook this season, they’ve discovered a approach to undo their laborious work.
Having crushed bitter rivals Liverpool 4-3 within the FA Cup previous to the worldwide break, United’s newest setback got here on Saturday night time with a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
And let’s be trustworthy with ourselves – regardless of taking the lead within the 96th minute, United have been extremely fortunate to have even taken a degree. The Bees have been the dominant aspect from begin to end on the Gtech Group Stadium and it could have been an injustice if that they had not taken something from the sport.
The numbers – each from this sport and in a wider context – don’t make for fairly viewing from a United perspective.
You will not imagine this guys, however United gave up a whacky variety of pictures on Saturday. Surprising, I do know.
On this event, the Purple Devils allowed Brentford to take 31 makes an attempt. Thirty-one. United mustered solely 11 of their very own. I will exit on a limb and say that is not good.
The figures for xG range from mannequin to mannequin, although they usually paint a reasonably clear and cohesive image of the prospect high quality from a given sport.
On this occasion, Opta stats had the xG battle down at 2.6 to 0.5 in Brentford’s favour, whereas FotMob’s knowledge got here out with a results of 3.3 to 0.6.
You get the thought.
Brentford set a brand new Premier League season-high for touches within the opposition penalty space, developing with 85 within the United field on Saturday. In reality, it was the very best quantity recorded by Opta within the final three seasons.
For comparability, United handle solely 16 within the Bees’ field.
27 away at Manchester Metropolis. 23 at residence to Everton. 25 throughout 120 minutes towards Liverpool. However worst of all, the 31 at Brentford.
United simply like to present their opposition a sight of purpose. It is a far cry from the streetwise aspect of final season.
No aspect has confronted extra pictures within the Premier League this calendar 12 months than United. Not even the relegation battlers. Good heavens.
Having performed 29 Premier League video games this season heading into the month of April, United’s purpose distinction stays at a impartial zero. Even Chelsea in eleventh have a optimistic purpose distinction, for crying out loud.
No workforce within the prime half of the Premier League desk has scored fewer than United’s tally of 40 objectives this season.
The one sides who rank worse than the Purple Devils are Nottingham Forest (36), Crystal Palace (34), Burnley (31), Everton (30) and Sheffield United (27). Even Luton (43) are extra prolific than United, for crying out loud.
Ending within the prime 5 ought to imply sufficient to safe Champions League qualification, and but that prospect appears to be disappearing over the horizon for United.
Aston Villa sit 11 factors away from United in fourth (although have performed one sport extra), whereas Tottenham are fifth and eight forward of Ten Hag’s prices. Many tipped United to duplicate a top-three end from final season, however these predictions really feel an age in the past now.
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