In what has already been a strange roller coaster of a season, Manchester United are back inside the top four. Back in the fight for Champions League football.
All season long, the Red Devils have shown much in the way of promise. That promise has often left more to be desired. But even within leaving more to be desired, you can rarely say that Manchester United haven’t shown desire. They’ve played with a smooth swagger in attack, often best when being able to combine the powerful running of Bryan Mbeumo with the silky smooth ball playing of Bruno Fernandes.
Embed from Getty ImagesEven under Ruben Amorim, United topped the charts for shots and xG. I’ve never watched a match this season where United looked lost for ideas. They’ve never looked short on solutions. They always have someone (several players) who can produce a moment of magic and dig them out of a hole.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was no different against Arsenal.
Arsenal, completely dominant in possession, snuffed out any sign of a United attack until they scored themselves. But as soon as the Red Devils fell behind to that first half goal, they shifted gears, turned a dial, and completely ramped up their intensity. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes put one singular pounce of pressure on Gabriel and Saliba, and they immediately capitalized.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis would become a common theme. Arsenal controlled the game. They’d knock the ball about. Attack in the wide areas through carefully crafted triangulations. Outmuscle United every time an attack went the other way.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd then United would flip the switch for only a moment, produce a touch of class, and score.
It was Patrick Dorgu with one of the strikes of the season to give United the 2-1 lead. Then, getting them out of jail just a minute after Arsenal’s equalizer – Matheus Cunha – with an equally brilliant strike from outside the eighteen.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor any top team, this is an incredible asset. United simply have so many players who can score goals. So many players who can bail them out.
Of their twelve different scorers this season so far, seven have netted more than 3. This might not sound that impressive across 23 matches. But it is.
Manchester City are this season’s top scorers. Only three of their players have more than 3 for the club this season (Haaland, Foden, Reijnders). Manchester United have more than double that.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey don’t need to be overly reliant on Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha. There’s still Benjamin Šeško, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, and several others who can find the back of the net from a set-piece.
Arsenal are the only side in the league who can currently match their goal spread. They have thirteen different scorers, eight of whom have netted more than three.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut the difference between United and Arsenal became clear in this match. United have those cutting edge players that can find a goal out of nothing. They have players who could challenge for the Golden Boot with the right run of games in the right position. Arsenal don’t have that.
Their top scorers remain on just 5 goals this season. Bottom of the table Wolves are the only team in the league with fewer goals from their top scorer.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited might not have a Haaland or a Salah, but Bryan Mbeumo seems to score in just about every game he plays; with so much support around him from the productivity of Fernandes, and the dynamism of Cunha, Dorgu and Diallo.
Scoring his eighth of the season against Arsenal puts him up to fifth in the league, with Bruno Fernandes continuing to top the charts for assists after his delightful little flick before Dorgu’s screaming strike.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt remains too early to hyperbolize about United’s chances this season under Carrick. But for the time being, their attacking depth and ability to score goals for fun should position them well for a continued run at the Champions League places.
It was the difference against Arsenal on Sunday in their nail-biting 3-2 win, and could prove the difference as Carrick’s reign continues to unfold.
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