In a season riddled with deplorable results, Manchester United’s most chastening one yet predictably brought on the usual shaking of heads, finger-pointing and assignment of blame.
It’s only natural, of course, and undoubtedly warranted. Watford are rock-bottom in the Premier League and on their fourth manager of the season but, somehow, United fashioned a way to lose 2-0 at Vicarage Road.
Two shots on target from the Hornets was all it took and one of them only barely qualified as such. David De Gea was guilty of a howler for the ages when Ismail Sarr’s tame, scuffed effort inexplicably slipped through his hands and into the back of the net.
Then there was Aaron Wan-Bissaka – widely regarded as the best tackler in the country, if not Europe – missing his challenge on Sarr spectacularly and conceding a penalty from which Troy Deeney made it 2-0 by the 54th minute.
But for all the jarring reactions and tiresome bemoaning, there’s really nowhere to go for United and that’s exactly as bleak as it sounds.
As ever, the manager will bear the brunt of the blame and with a proven option in Mauricio Pochettino unattached, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s every misstep brings with it a mention of the Argentine.
Yet, looking longingly in the direction of yet another manager to steer a ship that’s veered so far off course and continues to tread water seems borderline naive.
United have been down this road before – three vastly different appointments with contrasting styles and approaches have failed at Old Trafford. At some point, the realisation must be reached that the club is broken beyond immediate repair by any one head coach.
The structure at the top is flawed and the toxicity of poor investment and lack of direction continuously filters down to on-pitch performances.
However unconvincing United have been, particularly against seemingly inferior opposition, Solskjaer’s term has brought tedious but definite change off it.
Smart acquisitions over the summer of Harry Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James mustn’t be brushed off. United have failed spectacularly in the transfer arena for too long for this improvement to be played down.
The emergence of young talents in Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams has complimented the recruitment and so fragments of a functional team have begun to surface.
But this latest embarrassment shines a harsh light on the enormous work that’s left to be done. And nothing exposes United’s numerous cracks than Jesse Lingard starting as the team’s attacking midfielder – a position that should be reserved for the most creative talent with extensive playmaking capabilities.
Instead, it’s occupied by a 27-year-old England international who, according to Opta, has gone 25 hours in the Premier League since his last goal or assist. That seems almost impossibly poor.
The chances United created against Watford were scarce, but Lingard should’ve handed them the lead and ended his humiliating barren run when Anthony Martial played him through on goal in the first half. But his unnecessarily elaborate lobbed finish was miscued and landed harmlessly on the roof of the net.
Much work to do at United.
Paul Pogba hadn’t played since October, but was the best player on the pitch after replacing Lingard in the second period. Elsewhere, Luke Shaw was consistently beaten for pace by Sarr, Martial went missing for large periods, Victor Lindelof’s passing was atrocious and Fred – despite earning top marks for effort and improvement – still isn’t good enough.
Another two windows – at least – like the one over the summer is required for United to get the right pieces in place. Failing that, even Pochettino can offer no resurgence – only momentarily respite.
The Argentine can do all the right things and lay out the proper approach but eventually, he too would hit a brick wall. And then, we do this all over again…
United aren’t functional enough to benefit from a manager of Pochettino’s calibre and for as long as they continue to be their own worst enemy, they don’t deserve to.
They have no option but to grit their teeth and ride out this miserable run, while key pieces slowly fall into place.
And that’s exactly as bleak as it sounds.
