Manchester United have certainly upped their game this season, make no mistake. Jose Mourinho might be bashed left, right and centre for not matching up with Manchester City but in stark contrast to the popular opinion, the Red Devils have improved on their showings.
They are placed second in the table and in any other season would have been at the top, or just a point or two behind the top spot. Pep Guardiola’s magical season with City has left other teams quite far behind and deeming Jose and his players as failures would be incorrect on so many levels.
However, some players, and I mean some big players need to be even more influential to help Manchester United to greater success in the second half of the season.
Romelu Lukaku
Statistics (PL, CL, FA Cup, Carabao Cup)
Matches: 36; Goals: 19; Assists: 5
Romelu Lukaku was signed amidst much fanfare and a huge transfer fee for Manchester United last summer. The Belgian has been a constant figure in the lineup as the manager has shown faith and persisted with him even when he has gone through difficult times.
However, Lukaku has divided opinions during his short stay at Old Trafford. Despite having scored 18 goals and assisted in five other (all in the PL), Lukaku has been arguably mediocre against the tougher opponents. His inability to finish off chances has hurt him and the team in the matches against the so-called ‘Big Six’.
Temperament is something that Lukaku lacks sometimes and he would get better with it for sure. His statistics have not been bad, well 19 goals in all competitions is a really good return. However, he needs to be more composed, calm and should be kept away from all the media criticism to flourish completely.
The lad’s just 24 and Jose certainly seems to like him and as we know, once the gaffer places faith on someone, he hardly ever lets them face any blows outside the dressing room. Lukaku has been committed to his performance, as he has been holding the ball better, his touch seems to have improved and he has grabbed five assists, a testament of his improved tendency to bring the other forwards into the game.
However, everything will be ignored unless he starts proving himself in the bigger games.
Paul Pogba:
Statistics (PL, CL, FA Cup, Carabao Cup)
Matches: 21; Goals: 3; Assists: 10
Paul Pogba has already recorded 10 assists and scored thrice in just 21 competitive matches. Pogba has assisted 9 times in the 16 games he has played in the Premier League, a stat that surely impresses.
The flipside is that Pogba missed a lot of matches due to a hamstring injury and then the infamous sending off against Arsenal at Emirates. Pogba was highly influential in that Arsenal game but a rash challenge on Hector Bellerin meant that he was directly sent off in the 74th minute.
Accordingly, he was suspended for next week’s game against Manchester City and United had to deal with a huge blow in that game. Pogba leads United’s attack through the midfield and has been highly influential, especially after the arrival of Nemanja Matic.
However, the Frenchman needs to step up again and lead United’s pursuit of closing the gap between them and Guardiola’s men. In the busy period, he needs to avoid any further injuries, any more suspensions and hence would be largely determinable to Manchester United’s fortunes in the final few months of the season.
Marcus Rashford:
Statistics (PL, CL, FA Cup, Carabao Cup)
Matches: 36 (16); Goals: 10; Assists: 5
What was the biggest doubt among Manchester United’s supporters when Jose Mourinho was appointed as the manager?
Answer: The future of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
18 months later, Marcus Rashford has become one of the most integral members of this United squad. Jose loves the lad, to say the least. Rashford’s hardworking ability, the tenacity, intensity and ability to tire down the defenders with his supreme speed is just amazing.
He started the season brightly, but since then has seen a certain dip in form. He visibly looked tired in the Christmas period and failed to finish off easy chances. Rashford has since been rested but not discarded from the team.
However, now the time has arrived that he steps up, shrugs aside any bout of inconsistency and delivers some splendid performances to keep up the pressure on Lukaku, Martial and to prove to everyone that Manchester United can still churn out some unique talents from their academy!
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
