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Manchester United have suffered a woeful season thus far with the group now on their second supervisor and nonetheless languishing within the backside half of the Premier League desk.
Having struggled for the reason that opening fixtures, United have been on the backfoot for almost all of the marketing campaign and located themselves on the improper facet of too many disappointing outcomes to this point.
The poor performances have resulted in some determined defensive moments underneath each Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim with the group failing to adapt to the strategies of each coaches.
That is backed up by a latest statistic that has revealed two United gamers characteristic within the high 10 of full-backs throughout Europe who’ve made sliding tackles for the reason that begin of the season.
Sliding tackles from full-backs in Europe’s high 5 leagues thus far this season: pic.twitter.com/yuySilwiiW
— Central (@WestHam_Central) January 8, 2025
Summer season signing Noussair Mazraoui joins Diogo Dalot on the record with the previous Bayern Munich man tied in third place and Dalot in joint seventh alongside facet Dennis Appiah of Saint-Étienne and Sevilla’s José Ángel Carmona with 12 apiece.
Mazraoui is joined by Premier League colleague Yukinari Sugawara of Southampton and La Liga duo Nahuel Tenaglia and Jon Aramburu, who play for Alaves and Actual Sociedad, respectively, on 13 slide tackles every.
Curiously, former United man Aaron Wan-Bissaka leads the charts with a large 21 slide tackles this time period, with Leganés Valentin Rosier in second on 14.
Regardless of that includes excessive within the desk, the statistic won’t be considered by many as a formidable one with defenders sometimes advised to remain on their toes when confronted with attackers.
The truth is, each United gamers have given away penalties by way of mistimed slide tackles this season with Mazraoui’s mishap particularly damaging.
The Moroccan gifted Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert an opportunity to double the away facet’s benefit towards United final month which resulted in Andoni Irialo’s males cruising to an attention-grabbing 3-0 win at Outdated Trafford.
Dalot’s determined hack on Southampton’s younger prodigy, Tyler Dibling, early in season wasn’t fairly as deadly with Andre Onana thwarting Cameron Archer from the spot when the scoreline was nonetheless goalless at St. Mary’s.
Luckily, United went on to win the sport on the South Coast due to Matthjis de Ligt’s first purpose for the membership added to by Marcus Rashford earlier than a late Alejandro Garnacho purpose wrapped up the three points.
Amorim will probably be hoping for extra managed defensive showings from his gamers transferring ahead as United try to construct on their greatest efficiency underneath the brand new head coach at Anfield final weekend.
United journey to Arsenal on Sunday as they start the defence of their FA Cup crown earlier than returning to Premier League motion towards Southampton the next midweek.
Featured picture Carl Recine through Getty Photos
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