The Red Devils may be back in the hunt for Champions League qualification, but they still look like a team of individuals
"I think we can beat any opponent, away or at home," Erik ten Hag told reporters after Manchester United's crucial 2-1 victory at Aston Villa. "Sometimes away we have to believe it more, we deserved to win at Arsenal and could have won at Liverpool. It's about belief."
Sunday's three points could go a long way to ensuring United salvage a top-four finish, which seemed unthinkable just a few weeks ago. Ten Hag's side are now within five points of Villa, who are still sitting fifth, and six behind fourth-placed Tottenham, having won their last three games.
United have won four on the bounce in all competitions, their best run of the season so far, and it could continue with favourable fixtures against Luton Town and Fulham up next. On the surface, it appears the tide has turned.
But dig a little bit deeper, and it's obvious Ten Hag's side are still a mess. Villa will certainly be wondering how on earth they ended up empty-handed after a second-half barrage that saw Andre Onana finally justify his £48 million ($61m) transfer fee in the United goal.
Ten Hag may have saved his job by overseeing a mini-resurgence, but that does not mean United are back – or indeed anywhere near becoming a top side again.
Getty'Bit of an odd bunch'
"They’re better than they were, but they’re still not great," United legend Gary Neville told after the Villa game. "You still don’t see any patterns or combinations. They concede so many chances. They don’t control games. They don’t keep possession better than other teams. But they do have players who can win matches. They’re a bit of an odd bunch. They just play in moments during matches."
Rasmus Hojlund has transformed into United's main match-winner since opening his Premier League scoring account in the 3-2 win over Villa on Boxing Day, and the 21-year-old made it five goals in as many league appearances at the weekend – becoming the second-youngest player to achieve the feat in the Premier League after Nicolas Anelka.
The Red Devils also had super-sub Scott McTominay to thank for their latest win, as the Scotland midfielder stepped off the bench to head home his seventh Premier League goal of the season. But the fact McTominay is the club's top scorer in the competition despite only starting 12 games speaks volumes.
Neville is absolutely right, United are still relying on individual moments, with no clear identity to their play on or off the ball. They were overrun in midfield against Villa, which has become a theme against the top sides under Ten Hag, and it was far too easy for Unai Emery's men to get in behind the visitors' defence.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDamning away record
The reaction to Ten Hag's "we can beat anyone" claim on social media was predictably strong. One account replied "Manchester United won’t go far with this manager if he actually believes this", while another pointed out that Arsenal had a 2.53 expected goals total compared to United's 0.98 when the hosts triumphed 3-1 at Emirates Stadium back in September.
In the 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in December, United saw 34 shots reign down on their net, and only managed six themselves, while giving up 69 percent of the possession. Yes, the Red Devils had the better clear-cut chances, but Ten Hag once again set up not to lose rather than trying to go toe-to-toe.
Incredibly, Sunday's victory over Villa was actually the first game United have won on the road against a top-nine side since Ten Hag's appointment – at the 20th time of asking. It doesn't get more damning than that.
Getty Images'Problems are still there'
On another day, United could easily have trudged off the pitch at Villa Park bemoaning another dismal away defeat. Roy Keane certainly wasn't impressed, as he admitted to that his old club "got away with it" before insisting "the problems are still there for them".
One of those is Casemiro, who struggled to keep up with Villa's relentless energy in the middle of the park. The Brazilian has been a key player for United since returning from injury, but his 31-year-old legs are starting to let him down.
Neville recently called the board "crazy" for handing Casemiro a four-year contract after his £70m ($88m) move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2022, and it's hard to disagree. It's a similar story for his former Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane, with the World Cup winner now lacking the speed and intensity that made him one of the best defenders in the world in his prime.
One man who does at least still have age on his side is Marcus Rashford, but the 26-year-old has looked equally ineffective this term, and was hooked after 73 minutes at Villa after consistently giving the ball away in the final third. Rashford may have been United's talisman in Ten Hag's debut season, but he's clearly in decline now, and serious questions will be asked over his future in the summer – especially if Paris Saint-Germain do indeed reignite their interest in the England international.
On the right-flank, meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho's failure to track back left Diogo Dalot exposed time and time again at Villa Park. The talented teenager has arguably been United's standout player in 2023-24, but if he doesn't learn to be more disciplined defensively, opposing teams will continue to get a lot of joy on that side of the pitch.
Getty ImagesHas the story changed?
In the first half of the season, as United wrestled with an unprecedented injury crisis, Ten Hag repeatedly claimed he would "change the story" as soon as he was able to call upon a full-strength side again. The Dutchman has so far been proven right, with their recent upturn in form coinciding with the return of players like Casemiro, Varane, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo.
Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have also played their part, though the former has suffered a fresh injury setback that could keep him sidelined until April, and the latter came off at half-time against Villa due to a fitness scare. United definitely rode their luck in the second half without Shaw, which does not bode well if he faces another spell out.
Even though results have improved due to increased strength in depth, United scraped past Villa and Wolves in unimpressive fashion, the 3-0 scoreline against West Ham at Old Trafford flattered them, and they were outplayed by Tottenham in a 2-2 draw on home turf.
The fact Ten Hag is finally enjoying some continuity with his starting XI doesn't hide the fact United are still lacking quality across the pitch.