Manchester is RED | Man Utd victorious over Wolves | Onana’s controversial debut | Transfer news
Aug 15, 2023
auto_awesome
Samuel Luckhurst discusses Manchester United's 1-0 win over Wolves, the disappointing midfield performance, Onana's debut, and potential transfers at Old Trafford.
Manchester United struggled to regain momentum after a slow start and lacked a proven goal scorer in their 1-0 win over Wolves.
The midfield lacked cohesion and the defense was exposed to counterattacks, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
Harry Maguire's potential move to West Ham has hit a roadblock, raising questions about his desire to play regularly.
Deep dives
Fortuitous win for Manchester United over Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United secured a fortuitous 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening game of the season. The performance was lackluster, with United struggling to regain momentum after a slow start. Wolves displayed aggression and posed a threat on the break, but their profligacy in front of goal allowed United to snatch the victory. The decisive goal came from Raphael Varane, who headed in a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Despite the win, United's lack of a proven goal scorer was evident, and there is room for improvement.
Concerns about Manchester United's midfield and defensive vulnerabilities
Manchester United's midfield and defense showed vulnerabilities during the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The midfield lacked cohesion and struggled to dominate the game, while the defense was exposed to Wolves' counterattacks. The absence of a tall and physically imposing team became apparent, as Wolves found it relatively easy to breach United's defense. Additionally, the inverted fullback tactic employed by United did not work effectively, leaving the defense exposed. These issues highlight the need for potential reinforcements in both the midfield and defensive areas.
Harry Maguire's stalled move to West Ham United
Harry Maguire's potential move to West Ham United seems to have stalled. West Ham had a bid accepted by United, but negotiations hit a roadblock when Maguire sought a significant pay-off due to the wage reduction he would face at West Ham. Some view this as an unjustified plea for more money, given Maguire's failure to live up to his world-record transfer fee. The situation raises questions about Maguire's desire to play regularly, as he may need to lower his wage demands or consider alternative options in order to secure regular game time.
Promising debut for Andre Onana
Andre Onana had a promising debut for Manchester United, making crucial saves at key moments in the game. Despite not having the opportunity to showcase his skills with the ball at his feet, Onana demonstrated that he can fill the shoes of the legendary David De Gea. He displayed excellent passing and was prompt in his distribution. Although there were shots he should have easily saved, his overall performance reassured that he is a more complete goalkeeper and an upgrade from De Gea.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka's impressive performance
Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a strong performance in the game, proving his worth as the right-back for Manchester United. He played a crucial role in creating attacking opportunities, providing quality crosses and contributing to a goal. His composure and accuracy in delivering the ball were admirable. Wan-Bissaka's performance stood out among the few positive ones for United in the match. With his reinvention and consistent displays, he has established himself as the better right-back in the team.
Dan Murphy is joined by Samuel Luckhurst for this episode of the Manchester is RED podcast, discussing the 1-0 win over Wolves, how the midfield disappointed United fans, Onana’s competitive debut and round up the transfers that could still happen at Old Trafford, with player both going and possibly joining.