When it comes to the Premier League, Manchester United is always indispensable. As a player and an ordinary fan who loves football, watching Manchester United's ups and downs this season is full of mixed feelings. So far this season, Manchester United's performance has been a bit of a puzzle. From the glory of the past to the embarrassing bottom of the Champions League, to only 31 points in the half of the Premier League, such a result is undoubtedly a blow for Manchester United.
Especially the recent match against Nottingham Forest is even more embarrassing. The record of winning all eight meetings in the past was supposed to give the team some psychological advantage, but it turned out to be a disappointing 1-2. Manchester United's players seemed to be unable to find their place on the pitch, and the scene of being suppressed throughout the pitch was distressing. What is even more surprising is that this defeat turned out to be the first defeat to Nottingham Forest in 29 years, a record that is heavy for any Manchester United player.
As a goalkeeper, Onana's performance in this game was indeed a bit problematic. Especially in the moment when Gibbs White scored the winning goal, his positioning problems led to the goal conceded, which is definitely a huge mistake for a goalkeeper. However, football is a team game after all, and one person's mistake does not represent the whole team. The entire Manchester United's offensive and defensive system seems to be a bit loose, lacking the compactness and tacit understanding it should have.
Looking at Manchester United's forward line, Antony's performance this season has also been quite disappointing. 21 appearances turned out to be 0 goals and 0 assists, such a statistic is undoubtedly a huge pressure for a striker. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, equalised in this game, but it seemed to be short-lived piece of good news.
Manchester United's state of affairs not only makes fans feel heartache, but also makes people question Ten Hag's coaching ability. Football is not only a contest of technique and tactics, but also a contest of psychology and team spirit. In this regard, United seem to have lost the soul of the Red Devils team that once were.
However, the game of football is always full of uncertainties. Although Manchester United are in a difficult situation at the moment, as a player and as a fan, I always believe that every team will have a day when they will be back to the top. As Manchester United fans, what we need is more patience and support. It takes time for the team to adjust and improve, and what we need is trust and support from them.
As worrying as it may be right now, I'm still looking forward to seeing them get back to their game and shine in the Premier League again. After all, the charm of football lies in its unavoidability and challenging. For Manchester United, this is only a temporary low, and the possibilities are endless. Let's keep cheering them on and look forward to the return of the Red Devils!