Analysis

How long can Manchester United's slump go on? Premier League hits and misses

Plus: Liam Delap shines for Ipswich in victory over Chelsea; Enzo Maresca's changes fail as Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku unable to take opportunity; Ollie Watkins stakes his claim for Aston Villa's starting striker role; Brighton struggle continues

Tuesday 31 December 2024 07:15, UK

How long can Man Utd slump go on?

"With bad results, it's really difficult to sell an idea," Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports before Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. "I was hired because of that idea, and in these difficult moments if you change your mind, it is the end for any coach." But sticking with that idea brings problems too.

Manchester United were a mess from the outset against Newcastle. Some of it is down to players bereft of confidence. The sad sight of Joshua Zirkzee being booed from the field before the break was emblematic of a group of players who look unhappy in their work.

But a system is supposed to make their jobs easier not harder and whatever your view of the quality of the squad inherited by Amorim it is increasingly difficult to argue that this is not at least part of the problem. Too many of them look uncomfortable in their roles.

Diogo Dalot was stationed so high up the pitch for much of the game that it would have been more natural to have a left winger there rather than an erstwhile right-back. When he did get the ball he could only shovel it inside rather than provide any genuine width.

Noussair Mazraoui fared little better on the other flank and Matthijs de Ligt does not want to be dragged into wide areas as he was by Alexander Isak. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few this shape is said to suit and he endured a wretched evening in red.

Amorim would no doubt have preferred to have come into this job last summer or next rather than be plunged into a congested fixture list and asked to fix problems on the fly. But the hope would have been that he could muddle through and build for next season.

That remains the hope but it surely needs United to pick up or risk beginning that rebuild on the back foot, being doubted even before his first full season in charge. As he himself acknowledges, there is an idea to sell - to the players, to the public, and to his bosses.

Amorim does not need a trophy. A season out of Europe could even make things simpler. There is no expectation United fire. Just function. But a third Premier League defeat in a row without so much as scoring a goal, is unacceptable even at this low ebb.
Adam Bate

Chelsea get well and truly Delaped!

It takes something special to get a 10/10 in the Sky Sports Player Ratings.

Well, Liam Delap is something special.

There were fears pre-match that kick-off might be delayed due to a road closure because of the army examining a possible unexploded shell close to the ground. That device was found to be safe - but Delap was about to ignite.

Delap's barnstorming display lit up Portman Road like a New Year's Eve fireworks display. He was simply unplayable.

A one-man wrecking ball, crashing his way through the Chelsea defence, winning his own penalty that he of course dispatched before setting up Omari Hutchinson to really add extra sting to the result for the Chelsea fans. He is one of their own who they let go in the summer.

When Ipswich were out on their feet defending their box under huge pressure from Chelsea, Delap's ability to charge with the ball up the pitch was priceless. Kieran McKenna afforded him the standing ovation his performance deserved by taking him off in stoppage time. A legend is truly born. And Ipswich now have real survival hopes with a player of this potential in their ranks.
Lewis Jones

Chelsea's B-Team members fail A-team audition

Forced by a hectic festive schedule, Enzo Maresca made five changes to the side that suffered defeat at Fulham on Boxing Day.

Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku were among those brought in by Maresca to avoid a second consecutive defeat.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea - Report & highlights

Jorgensen found himself on the wrong end of drama with just 10 minutes on the clock when he was adjudged to have clipped Liam Delap in the penalty area.

Despite a strong showing after that, Chelsea were chasing the game after the penalty. Disasi gifted Ipswich their second goal, five days after Christmas with a lax back pass into the path of Delap who teed up Omari Hutchinson.

Joao Felix, who had a goal disallowed for offside, couldn't be relied upon to find an equaliser as he was hooked off seconds after Ipswich's second. Christopher Nkunku struggled to replicate his form in the cup competitions, missing a big chance to equalise and losing six duels in an otherwise anonymous display up front.

A lot was made about Maresca's large squad before the start of the season but at the halfway point, it's already clear who Maresca feels he can rely on. The defeat at Ipswich wouldn't have done enough to change his mind.
William Bitibiri

Villa fall short but Watkins stakes claim to start

Regardless of the late equaliser, Watkins staked his claim for the starting striker role against Brighton.

The England international returned to the Villa starting line-up for the first time in three Premier League games following Jhon Duran's suspension and made it count.

He had scored more goals against Brighton than any other team heading into this fixture and raised this tally to seven with his penalty in the first half.

Last season's winner of the Playmaker of the Season award had these credentials on full display shortly after the restart with the assist to Rogers too.

Celebrating his 29th birthday on the day, Watkins got the perfect present in possibly winning his starting spot in the line-up back with this performance, but it will be slightly marred by the late chances he was unable to convert.

Villa have two top-level strikers competing for the role and it seems to be getting the best out of both of them when they are on the field.
Pat Rowe

Seagulls stalling in European bid under Hurzeler

Brighton's promising start under Fabian Hurzeler has faded and their European qualification hopes will be dependent on turning draws into wins.

Their point at Aston Villa means they've failed to win any of their last seven league games for the first time since April 2022 under Graham Potter.

Fulham are the only side to drop more points (19) from winning positions this season than Brighton. Hurzeler's squad is littered with exciting young players yet their style, particularly at home, has been ponderous. Five draws at the Amex - nine in total - is not good enough for a team containing such talent.

What's more worrying is Brighton's winless run has not come against any of the top teams. They have failed to beat Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Fulham and Southampton.

After an outlay of almost £200m in the summer, the pressure is increasing on Hurzeler to improve in the second half of the season. He needs to stop worrying about the performance of the officials after collecting his fourth yellow card and focus on meeting expectations.
David Richardson

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