5 remarkable talking points to note after Manchester United’s 1-3 loss to Arsenal
Manchester United lost to Arsenal thanks to two late goals at the Emirates on Sunday.
Manchester United opened the scoring, in play, when a Christian Eriksen-weighted pass found Marcus Rashford on the left, who then cut inside and scored the first goal of the campaign.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard equalized a few minutes later thanks to a beautiful goal from the Norwegian. The Gunners were awarded a penalty disallowed by VAR, while United’s Garnacho’s goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
Declan Rice finally scored from a corner in stoppage time in the second half to give Arsenal the lead. Gabriel Jesus hammered the final nail into United’s coffin by making it 3-1 for the Gunners minutes later.
Let’s take a look at 5 points worth mentioning in the match against Arsenal:
#1 – Manchester United are inconsistent with their aggressive play
In the first half, Manchester United’s strikers were lazy when cornering opponents. Apart from Anthony, few players can match Aaron Ramsdale or any of Arsenal’s centre-backs. This nonchalant attitude allowed Declan Rice to advance in midfield and make passes to the rest of his teammates.
#2 – Lisandro Martinez is slowly regaining form
The Argentinian has had a difficult start to the 2023-24 Premier League season. In his first game against Wolves, he received an early yellow card and was eventually substituted at half-time. In the match against Tottenham Hotspur, Lisandro Martinez even kicked an unlucky own goal when he became the victim of criticism and trolls. However, the World Cup champion is slowly showing the doubters what he is capable of.
#3 – Manchester United are revealed in the opponent’s counter-attack
Mikel Arteta’s side created many threats on the counter-attack but ultimately failed to capitalize. Casemiro has failed to bring stability to United’s midfield this tournament. The Brazilian was once again not at his best as he failed to cover United’s defence.
Arsenal took advantage of this and wreaked havoc on United’s defense on the counter-attack. The Gunners made good use of the wingers’ pace, interspersed with Odegaard’s sublime passes. Most of the time, United were caught off guard by Arteta’s men.
#4 – Manchester United have shown confidence in their ability to handle pressure in the third defence
Manchester United’s defense handled Arsenal’s pressure on their defenders and goalkeeper well throughout the game. That is one of the reasons United have struggled in the past, but with the signing of Andre Onana, fans believe United will improve on that aspect of the game.
Against Arsenal, Onana pressured him to release space around his two central halves. Eriksen also dropped deep to help United build from the back and showed confidence in handling the situation.
#5 – Rasmus Hojlund has a promising start
The Dane looked promising on his Manchester United debut. Rasmus Hojlund came on for Anthony Martial in the second half. Hojlund has provided much-needed fitness for United’s attack.
He was also credited with making a clever heel-pass that led to Alejandro Garnacho’s disallowed goal.
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#5 – Rasmus Hojlund had a promising debut
The Dane looked promising on his Manchester United debut. Rasmus Hojlund came on as a second-half substitute for Anthony Martial. Hojlund provided much-needed physicality in United’s attack.
He was also instrumental in giving a smart backheel pass in the build-up to Alejandro Garnacho’s disallowed goal.
Paul Merson says Sofyan Amrabat will do what Casemiro won’t do at Manchester United
Manchester United are looking to complete the purchase of the Moroccan midfielder from Fiorentina before the 11pm transfer deadline on Friday.
Paul Merson has urged Manchester United to sign Sofyan Amrabat, saying the Moroccan midfielder will “keep in shape” better than Casemiro when the Reds attack.
United are in talks with Fiorentina over the transfer of the midfielder. Amrabat has one year left on his contract and is constantly tipped to move to Old Trafford this summer.
Midfielder Erik ten Hag was scrutinized in his first three Premier League games, especially from a defensive angle. Merson believes Amrabat will add stability to his midfield and ensure he is tighter at the back. “They need someone right now, they’re too open-minded,” Merson told Sky Sports. “The last three games, they were everywhere.
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“He’s a good player. I think he played better than Declan Rice in the [Europa] Conference League final, I think he’s special.
“I think he is a good player. He stays, he keeps his place. Casemiro plays in midfield but he wants to go forward, he can play.
“Amrabat will keep his form and you need one person to sit in front of the last four. No matter how good your defender is, if there is a player running left, right and center, you will score for fun.
“He will sit in the front. I’m a huge fan of him. I’m shocked that no one has come to support him yet, I think people will be queuing up for him.
“People want Casemiro, [Moises] Caicedo, Rodri, those players are huge. I was shocked that he wasn’t going anywhere.”
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Man Utd given tips to fully hijack ‘world-class’ Saudi bound £25.6m+ player, better than Sofyan Amrabat – bid expected soon
Manchester United should definitely hijack the Marco Verratti away from the Saudi League deal.
The Italian midfielder is one of the world’s best players. He’s highlighted that for years with PSG, but made everyone particularly take note in 2020 when he won the Euros with his nation.
Verratti is a silky midfielder who possesses immense skill and the ability to pick out an intricate pass, but also tenacious in a challenge and astute defensively – making him one of the most balanced, technically gifted players in world football presently.
At 30 years of age, he’s still got four more years at his best. He would be an ideal midfielder for Manchester United, going off the start of the season, so why not ake advantage to hijack the proposed Saudi League deal?
Verratti is perfect for Manchester United
Looking at Manchester United’s two opening fixtures, one thing has become clear – the midfield has looked woeful.
Mason Mount was brought in to play that traditional midfielder role, but it just hasn’t clicked as of yet. We actually think he’d be better suited further up the pitch, but obviously, Bruno Fernandes holds down that role.
It’s clear to see that defensively, we’ve looked a little lost in the middle. That’s because the balance of either Fred or Christian Eriksen who dropped back to help Casemiro has now gone.
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Man United hoping to sell prolific attacker if “better offer” from Saudi League pop’s up
Manchester United is now keen on adding new players but Anthony Martial’s stay at Manchester United might well come to an end before August is out, with Erik ten Hag willing to let the centre forward leave.
According to 90mins, the Frenchman is attracting interest from Saudi Pro League clubs, with Man United said to be “aware” of discussions taking place.
Thus far, only representatives of Martial and those of Saudi Arabian clubs are thought to have been in contact.
Nevertheless, Manchester United are “hopeful” that a “lucrative offer” will present itself in due course.
The club knows that getting a fee for Anthony Martial would be no small feat, with the mercurial striker on a heft contract worth around £250,000-a-week.
One thing is a concern to the club because his injury record certainly does not align with those wages, nor have his performance on the rare occasions in which he does make it onto the pitch.
Such was his promise as a youngster, AS Monaco were confident that the Ballon d-Or clause negotiated as part of his sale to Man United stood a very good chance of being activate.
Looking back on Martial’s time at Old Trafford, it now seems like an incredibly fanciful notion.
It would be difficult to gauge his current value given his aforementioned issues. Transfermarkt estimates that he would be worth around £12.9m, but United would be unlikely to fetch that price even from a Saudi Arabian club.
But simply getting his wages off the books would be a success at this stage. His annual salary of around £13m places a burden on the club’s ability to operate in the transfer market, as it counts towards United’s compliance with UEFA’s Financial Sustainability Regulations.
Any fee, therefore, would look like a bonus, although with the team light on strikers, Ten Hag is sure to push for a replacement should Martial leave the club.
For now, all Manchester United can do is wait to see what offers present it’s sellf, while keeping an eye out for a more reliable centre forward who could soon be on the move.
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Liverpool could qualify for the Champions League despite finishing fifth next season under the new UEFA rules
Liverpool are currently missing out on the Champions League next season but could be a different story if they finish fifth again in 2023/24
With less than two weeks left in the Premier League season, Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League remain in check.
After Monday night’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, the Reds are one point adrift of Newcastle United and Manchester United are in fifth place. However, they played one game more than both the Magpies and Red Devils.
As a result, already sure of a top-six finish and Europa League qualification, they need at least one between Newcastle and Manchester United to win just one of their remaining three games, winning both of their last two games, if they are to secure a unlikely top four finish.
Newcastle play Brighton & Hove Albion at home on Thursday before hosting Leicester City on Monday and then ending the season at Chelsea. United meanwhile travel to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday before hosting Chelsea in the second leg on Thursday May 25 and ending the season at home to Fulham.
While Liverpool could reach maximum points in their remaining matches at home against Aston Villa and away against already relegated Southampton, it is still a huge challenge for every team above them to drop the points needed to ensure a place in the four possible finishes. head of the Reds.
In desperation, some fans may have wondered if there was a circuitous route for Jurgen Klopp’s side to next year’s Champions League. For example, if Man City won the tournament this season, would England secure a fifth qualifying spot? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Consequently, if Liverpool do not have at least one between Newcastle United and Manchester United, they will play in the Europa League next season.
In fact, it looks set to become more difficult for the Reds to re-qualify for the Champions League next season anyway, given the increased competition they will face.
Pep Guardiola’s dominant Man City will strengthen their squad as always, while Arsenal and Newcastle United will now enjoy the riches of Champions League football after years in the wilderness. Meanwhile, Manchester United could be financially buoyed by new owners this summer, while Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea look to support their new managers in the transfer market.
Add to that Robert De Zerbi’s Brighton side who came close to making the top four this year and would have considerable cash to spare following big-name departures. While it is premature to call them Champions League hopefuls, the Seagulls will be looking to build on their impressive campaign this year. Liverpool will of course improve, with a midfield refresh expected at least this summer. Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch are all of interest, with other deals slated for the closing season as well.
The race for football in the Champions League is therefore likely to be even tougher in the years to come. So it’s good that fifth place doesn’t currently qualify for the European Cup, but that could change soon.
From the 2024/25 season, the Champions League format is set to change, with the tournament expanding from 32 teams to 36 clubs. The traditional group stage is abandoned, placing all 36 teams in a single table, with each of the qualifying teams playing eight matches, four at home and four away.
Teams finishing from first to eighth automatically qualify for the round of 16, with the knockout stage remaining the same as the current system from then on. Meanwhile, the teams placed between ninth and twenty-fourth will contest a two-legged play-off, with the eight winners also advancing to the round of 16.
So how will the four participants be determined?
Another team qualifies via the ‘Champions Path’ qualifying path, which shows competitions that fall outside the top 10 of the UEFA Country Coefficient. Meanwhile, the league that ranks fifth in the UEFA coefficient will also get an extra spot.
France currently occupy that spot, with the top two teams currently qualifying for the Champions League group stage and the third-placed qualifying for the third qualifying round. Under the new format, the top three teams would automatically qualify for the new league format, with their fourth team qualifying instead, rather than the Europa League group stage as before.
The last two places are reserved for the two countries with the highest coefficient scores of the current season. If the new format were introduced next year rather than in 2024/25, it would give England and Italy fifth place in Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, in three of the last four seasons, a Premier League side has reportedly been given one of the extra slots.
Liverpool’s transition campaign has come essentially a year early to take advantage of the format change, which would see the fifth-placed qualify for the Champions League.
And while the possibility of an extra place for English clubs could help them in their qualification race next season, assuming Premier League sides return to high performance, by winning the Europa League, with the champions of the European secondary competition will still have a place in the Champions League group stage competition under the new format.
However, Klopp will inevitably hope his side return to the top of the table and fight for titles rather than mere Champions League qualification as the 2023-24 season draws to a close.