As a colleague just remarked, United’s bench is callow and shallow. Ten Hag admitted yesterday they are not where they want to be, and that extends to the squad depth. Yes, there are injuries to contend with, but United should not be that depleted this early on after a summer devoid of a major tournament.
Sir Alex Ferguson gets a big hand at OId Trafford as he presents medals to either the players or family members of 13 former United players who now qualify for a league winners’ medal, under a change in EFL rules.
Manchester United tried to contact the players or family members of 19 players who were due 22 medals overall, and 13 are here today to get their medals on the pitch from Ferguson, a nice touch from United. Anthony Elanga scored four goals for United and all of them were away from Old Trafford (Wolves, Brentford, Leeds and Atletico Madrid). He went close here a few times, but the only one he celebrated was in a friendly against Brentford just over two years ago.
Elanga had a good impact on his Forest debut, assisting Taiwo Awoniyi, but he is yet to start for his new club. Two of United’s front three started in Louis van Gaal’s final match more than seven years ago. Martial has 17 United goals in the last three years, and today is his first start in 93 days. It is regressive that he is starting in United’s third game of the season after all of their forwards fired blanks in the previous two games.
I think everyone would have expected three changes today, and they are all obvious ones as well. Two are enforced, but the front three needed reworking as well, and Ten Hag had to get Rashford out on the left. Personally, I’d have liked to have seen McTominay in midfield; it’s been too open so far this season, and I’m not sure Eriksen fixes that, but we shall see. On the ball, it’s certainly a good selection, and Ten Hag will expect to see his team dominate possession.
Goal there Christian Eriksen
Manchester United 1 – 2 Nottingham forest#MUNNFO pic.twitter.com/AxTFbbnwlb— Rowland🤍 (@Ghana_Ronaldo) August 26, 2023