Zhan Jun: Manchester United Has Many Problems That Cannot Be Solved by One Ugarte

Following the conclusion of the third round’s featured Premier League match, where Manchester United suffered a 0-3 defeat at home to Liverpool, renowned commentator Zhan Jun shared his thoughts on the game via his personal social media.

Zhan Jun wrote: A comprehensive defeat for Manchester United, exposing the gap in overall strength. The three goals conceded are directly related to the double pivot of Casemiro and Mene, showing that there are many issues with this 4-2-3-1 formation, making it easy to be targeted. This is not something that can be solved by the Uruguayan hard-tackling midfielder Ugarte playing from the next round. Perhaps the number of midfield turnovers will decrease, improving the front defensive interceptions, but the lack of attacking options and unclear defensive responsibilities prevent forming a cohesive unit.

Sloot is the first manager in one hundred and two years of club history to win all three of his first league matches after taking charge, and the first since 1936 to win an away match in the “Double Red Derby.” Frankly speaking, the team he took over was stronger and more stable than the one Ten Hag inherited. He retained Klopp’s “rock ‘n’ roll football” high pressing intensity but emphasized control and targeting. Besides the speed of counterattacks, he improved their precision and efficiency. The joint tackling and blocking of Casemiro in the first half were very successful, and the shift to “surrounding” Mene in the second half also proved effective.

Gravenberch transformed into a warrior, could the strongest defensive midfielder already be in the squad? This needs more tests in top-level clashes. Salah’s transformation has also been successful, reducing dribbles and becoming an “assist king” while maintaining his goal-scoring threat inside the box, “an old horse recognizing the way,” scoring ten goals in his last seven visits to Old Trafford. Winning all three games without conceding a goal, Liverpool has had an almost perfect start to the new season!