Disclaimer: this time, I’m doing something different and writing this part at half-time.

To be clear, I make an internal expectation of what I visualize for the match to be when I see the line-up.

As, probably, everyone else.

When I see this match’s line-up a few thoughts come to mind.

On one side, again, a (almost) complete different back 3 with Mazraoui, Maguire and Martinez (the only survivor).

Moving forwards, more stability in the options chosen, with the exception of Malacia on the left and Zirkzee at the top.

Theoretically, one could expect better results, as team is slowly getting better every week.

But, no.

The result is not great, as the first half results in, at a minimum, a suffering performance.

The number of balls lost is very hard to recover (and understand) in such a big team.

I can’t recall one duel won by Zirkzee.

It’s frustrating.

The second half starts with Yoro substituting Malacia.
The French joins the back 3, Mazraoui goes to the right wing, Dalot moves to the left.

This is one of the problems with this team, the number of real options is so low that a lot of players are forced to do multiple roles.

Yes, it has some good aspects (to have global players), but it’s not what the team needs now.

Even if those players were top-quality players, but they aren’t.

And the team needs stability.

After only 8min, Zirkzee is already out.

Ugarte, with a yellow card, also comes out.

Højlund and Garnacho come to the field, Bruno drops to the double midfielders role.

But nothing really changes.

A really poor performance.

These players really leave the expectations really low.

The standard is really low.

I know I’ve said this before, and that in reality this is what these players can offer and where the expectation should be, but it’s a rollercoaster of performances.

It’s frustrating.

I asked many times during this Game, what happened with the recruitment in the past at Manchester United ?

That’s only because I genuinely believe there’s more individual quality in some Bournemouth players…

Therefore, I took a step back and went to see the transfer over the last years at the Club.

I was checking a reality that maybe all of you are aware.

But I wasn’t so familiar with this.

If you are on similar shoes as mine, let’s study that for a second!

The last signings for this Season:
. Leny Yoro (ex-LOSC Lille) for 62M Euros
. Matthijs de Ligt (ex-FC Bayern München) for 45M Euros
. Manuel Ugarte (ex-PSG) for 50M Euros

. Joshua Zirkzee (ex-Bologna) for 42,50M Euros

. Mazraoui (ex-FC Bayern München) for 15M Euros

In 2023/2024 Season:
. Højlund (ex-Atalanta BC) for 73,90M Euros

. Mason Mount (ex-Chelsea) for 64,20M Euros
. André Onana (ex-Inter Milan) for 50,20M Euros
. Sofyan Amrabat (ex-Fiorentina) for 9M Euros (Loan)
. Altay Bayindir (ex-Fenerbahçe) for 5M Euros

. Sergio Reguilón (ex-Tottenham) on Loan

. Johnny Evans (ex-Leicester) on free transfer

In 2022/2023 Season:
. Antony (ex-Ajax) for 95M Euros

. Casemiro (ex-Real Madrid) for 70,65M Euros

. Lisandro Martinez (ex-Ajax) for 57,37M Euros

. Tyrell Malacia (ex-Feyenoord) for 15M Euros

. Weghorst (ex-Burnley) for 2,96M Euros (Loan)

. Dúbravka (ex-Newcastle) for 2,30M Euros (Loan)
. Eriksen (ex-Brentford) on free transfer
. Sabitzer (ex-Bayern) on loan

. Jack Butland (ex-Crystal Palace) on loan

Now, from these 660M Euros spent in 2 years (!) with these players under Ten Hag as a Head Coach at United, my questions are:
. Who would play in the starting 11 of the biggest Clubs in Europe, if any?

. If you came from a top Club in Europe, why did they let you leave?

. How many players came from a way lower reality? (Ie. Johnny Evans came from the Championship, Weghorst from Burnley, Butland from Crystal Palace, Zirkzee from Bologna…)

. Is this the benchmark to play at United ??

Tough questions to make, tough answers to be answered, certainly.

But, as I didn’t agree with this line of signings under Ten Hag (ie. ex-Ajax or dutch players…) I don’t think Ruben should follow the same path, signing only ex-Sporting CP players.

Or Portuguese players, for the matter.

Here, is the Club responsibility to be accountable as well.

If a Club goes by the wills of each Coach, there’s no path, no strategy, no nothing.

There are no Scouts?

No Recruitment Department?

No Sporting Director?

Where was everyone??

Ruben or any Coach, to be clear.

No Coach is more important than any Club.

Manchester United is a giant.

They can reach almost any player in the world, theoretically.

And, if not United, what other Club can reach top quality players around the world?

Everyone needs to give more and understand that the benchmark (the standards that Ruben talked before) were left really low.

It’s time to step up!
But, sorry to repeat this so many times, it will really take time and money.

Now, everyone wants to leave the Club (including the Sporting Director or Rashford).

But that can only be a reaction and shame that they must feel.

It’s not time to leave the boat.

It’s time to understand mistakes and move ahead.

Trust me, Ruben is the right person and Coach for the job ahead.

Probably, the best Coach that United could have decided for. 

He already showed the idea is correct and can work.

Let’s give it time and manage our expectations about this squad every match.

There’s not much they can offer differently, anyways.