Man Utd toothless with out a striker
The one striker to start out the sport in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Manchester United at Outdated Trafford scored each of the targets. Jean-Philippe Mateta confirmed what a correct centre-forward can do – and what Ruben Amorim’s aspect proceed to sorely lack.
There are quite a few points at United, wing-backs who can’t create, defenders being outwitted and a ponderous midfield, however it was the sight of Kobbie Mainoo enjoying up entrance that highlighted the apparent distinction between the 2 groups on Sunday.
The out-of-position teenager did have his moments early on. He arrange probability for Alejandro Garnacho after which struck the publish himself. However that was it. The difficulty that Mateta induced the defenders on the different finish of the pitch was a distinct matter.
United simply look toothless. It’s 16 video games since they led at half-time. The one first-half aim they’ve scored of their final 14 in all competitions was Bruno Fernandes’ penalty within the defeat to Brighton. On this event, the second half was most likely even worse.
What the choice to go along with Mainoo says about Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee is a matter for hypothesis. However each of them struggled once they got here on, trying completely devoid of confidence. United limp on however they proceed to be a tricky watch.
There may be little proof to counsel anybody left on the membership, given Marcus Rashford’s departure, has the pedigree to vary issues. To the switch market, then? Talking afterwards, Amorim appear extra involved about throwing good cash after dangerous.
“We are trying everything to improve the team, without doing the mistakes of the past, trying to balance the urgency of the moment.” United need assistance. However the query isn’t just whether or not they can afford the proper striker. It’s whether or not they can actually afford to attend.
Adam Bate
Spence stands as much as be counted forward of Salah check
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur
Djed Spence take a bow. The Tottenham defender, enjoying out of place at left-back, did a nice job on Sunday marshalling Bryan Mbeumo. Subsequent up? Mohamed Salah.
The stats present he gained eight of his 10 duels on the Gtech and no-one gained extra tackles in a Spurs shirt. Spectacular. However there have been additionally the opposite moments which made a distinction – how he used his energy to shoulder the Bees ace off the ball to win a throw, how he compelled Mbeumo to show again quite than cross, his restoration tempo to close down a Brentford cost down that aspect…
After being ineligible in midweek and injured towards Leicester, this was a well timed return to the crew – and underlined the progress Spurs’ full-back has made.
“He’s been outstanding since he’s come into the team,” stated Postecoglou afterwards. “He loves the challenge of taking on the elite. Bryan is right up there, especially here. You can see he loves that challenge. That was another reason we kept Micky [van de Ven] on ice. He’ll be important for us until Destiny gets back.”
He’ll definitely be vital on Thursday, within the Carabao Cup semi-final at Liverpool when he has to comprise this season’s high performer, Salah…
Peter Smith
No dwelling comforts for Brentford proper now
Brentford’s fortress has been conquered greater than typical in latest weeks – they’re now winless in six at dwelling throughout all competitions, with their loss to Spurs their fifth defeat in that run.
Maybe the early kick-off on Sunday is not supreme for producing an intimidating ambiance however since holding one of the best dwelling file within the league earlier this marketing campaign, Brentford have struggled in west London of late.
Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Man Metropolis and Liverpool have featured in that run, in order that they have confronted robust opposition – however this weekend Thomas Frank will probably be left reflecting on how his aspect didn’t make lengthy spells in Spurs’ ultimate third depend.
Thirty-seven crosses, 48 touches within the field and a pair of.29xG added as much as nothing.
Away days towards West Ham and Leicester are up subsequent and Frank will probably be hoping for a constructive return from these fixtures to allow them to capitalise on their subsequent dwelling sport, towards Everton, and return to selecting up vital factors at their HQ.
Peter Smith
‘No one doing it higher than Jean-Philippe Mateta’
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening aim (AP Photograph/Dave Thompson)
When you had requested soccer followers a yr in the past whether or not Jean-Philippe Mateta was one of many high strikers within the Premier League they might have merely laughed and known as you a idiot.
His rise below Oliver Glasner has been phenomenal. Manchester United can solely want to have a striker possessing such energy, athleticism and ruthless goalscoring potential. He makes defenders defend along with his motion and his sheer brute power when in full circulate is a sight to behold – as recognized by his jaw-dropping 80-yard run from one finish of the pitch to the opposite within the first half the place he left 4 United defenders in his wake.
Mateta’s two targets at Outdated Trafford took his tally since February 23 of final yr to 23 targets. Solely Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland have scored extra. He’s amongst that firm now.
Lewis Jones
