Last season, Erik ten Hag experimented with 14 different centre-back pairings due to injuries and fluctuating form, but none seemed to satisfy him. His former Ajax captain, Matthijs de Ligt, was brought in during the summer with the intention of forming a partnership with Lisandro Martínez, another familiar face from Amsterdam. However, de Ligt's performance has been underwhelming. The issues became evident in the 3-3 draw against Porto, prompting the manager to replace the duo with Harry Maguire and veteran Jonny Evans for a crucial match at Aston Villa. Rúben Amorim will also have Victor Lindelöf and Casemiro at his disposal, which could be beneficial if he opts to switch to his customary back three. Regardless, trust must be placed in those designated as first-choice players. The backbone of the team at Old Trafford is somewhat fragile. In front of the ever-shifting defense, Kobbie Mainoo has stood out since being given his opportunity by Ten Hag, but finding a consistent partner for him has proven challenging. Casemiro's prime days are behind him, making it difficult for him to keep up with the pace of the Premier League consistently, turning him into a liability. Although Christian Eriksen has stepped up this season, he still appears to be below the elite level United needs for long-term success. They invested a significant sum—£42.3m—in Manuel Ugarte, who must wonder why the environment is so chaotic and can be forgiven for his slow start. If Amorim can find a way to integrate the 23-year-old Ugarte, whom he coached for two seasons at Sporting, and 19-year-old Mainoo, it could lay the groundwork for the team. United's hierarchy grew increasingly frustrated with the team's inability to score this season; netting just eight goals in nine Premier League matches is clearly inadequate for a team with Champions League aspirations. They heavily invested in Rasmus Højlund last season, viewing him as the ideal No 9, but despite displaying quality, he has yet to find consistency in front of goal. Alejandro Garnacho leads the club's scoring charts with a mere two goals, with six teammates below him on one each. United's expected goals (xG) in the league stands at 15.65, indicating that consistently poor finishing is costing them. The summer signing Joshua Zirkzee does not appear to be prolific, and Marcus Rashford has failed to recapture the form that saw him score 30 goals in 2022-23. Rashford's struggles are not limited to scoring; he has struggled in all aspects since the start of last season. While his quality at his best is undisputed, he missed out on the European Championship on merit and needs someone to revitalize him because he would be a valuable asset to any team if he can replicate his form from two seasons ago. Another player in need of improvement is Antony, whom Ten Hag brought in at great expense but who has looked subpar, rarely showing signs of justifying his £85.6m price tag. With Ten Hag gone, Antony has much to prove, having become a bit-part player. No one has seen the best of Mason Mount since his arrival in 2023. Injury has been an issue, but Ten Hag was unable to find a suitable position for him. Ten Hag managed 128 games, and it was nearly impossible to discern a clear plan in most of them. Jason Wilcox was brought in as technical director to oversee the on-pitch strategy and ensure a consistent philosophy throughout the club. He will be keen to see that Amorim is clear in his thinking and can quickly demonstrate it, especially after Ten Hag's United often functioned as individuals rather than a cohesive unit when pressing. The new head coach will have his own ideas, but entering mid-season could make it difficult to implement them quickly, particularly with United playing twice a week for the foreseeable future, making this a significant test of Amorim's competence. There is a question of whether Ten Hag's misfortune or his intense methods led to the numerous injuries. Last season, United sustained 66 injuries, more than any other Premier League team, resulting in extended periods without a recognized left-back. The medical department has been revamped, but little has changed. Leny Yoro, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mainoo, Mount, Toby Collyer, and Antony were all absent for the final match of Ten Hag's tenure. No team or manager can reach their peak when constantly tinkering with their starting XI due to a continuous stream of absentees, but it cannot all be attributed to bad luck, and a solution must be found.
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