There are a couple of things I want to speak today: my thoughts on yesterday’s match and the market.

Manchester United draw against Liverpool, a very challenging away match.

Everyone expected a disaster.

Deserved, taking in consideration the last performances.

Bruno even said that they should be happy with the final score and then emended to “we are Manchester United, although we are never happy to draw, this was a very consistent performance”.

However, I think it all started before the match.

And by that I mean that Ruben’s system promotes accountability. In great amount.

That creates a very easy process of loneliness when mistakes happen and, mainly, when the team is not together.

That’s the Manchester United that Ruben found.

Lost.

No path.

No structure.

No direction.

Each one diverting to their own way and faith.

The struggle starts there.

Because, just like any other system, its flaws always become shiner if the team is not there to cover one’s mistakes.

Yesterday, just like against Manchester City, the team was strong and united.

And the result is clearer.

The strongest team (with the adds of Yoro) available, and possible with this group of players, made a few more training sessions (for the first time, there was a difference of 6 days between matches).

The team was compact and made an overall good performance.

The best since Ruben joined, many say.

The best Mazraoui, Martinez and Dalot we’ve seen so far.

The best Bruno.

The normal (amazing) Ugarte!

But also, some players that although their performance wasn’t the best, we must expect more. Specially from Amad, Mainoo and Højlund.

I’ve been discussing Amad’s positioning a lot, as I believe him to be more relevant when coming from the right-wing.

But that hasn’t been so often for 2 reasons, in my opinion:

1 – Ruben understands the back 3 momentary fragility, the number of goals conceded and wants to create a more cohesive back line with Mazraoui on that position;

2 – Although he’s not as impactful, there are no other options. Simple.

As I discussed a lot here, Ruben observed everyone in competition, gave minutes to everyone, and there were other games that also served as a proof (if anyone had doubts) that some players are not fit for this level.

The second part of today’s article goes to the January market.

I must assume that I’m anxious about this market.

More than that, I want it to have an impact.

More exits than people joining, I hope.

But United needs to add 4 or 5 quality players and to get rid of many more.

The only problem is that, on one side, January market is often a financial disaster, with multiple players being overrated and super expensive. 

That will create an issue with the level of players the Club can reach during this month.

My best options would be:
. Left-back – Nuno Mendes (PSG, FR) or Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
. Midfielder – Éderson (Atalante, IT), De Jong (Barcelona), Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Hjulmand (Sporting CP), Carlos Baleba (Brighton Albion) or Nico González (FC Porto).

. Attacking Midfielder – Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Yildiz (Juventus), Trincāo (Sporting), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), or Gordon (Newcastle).

. Striker – Gyökeres (Sporting), Isak (Newcastle), Jhon Dúran (Aston Villa) or Joāo Pedro (Brighton).

There will be other positions where players are needed, from Goalkeeping to another Defender with greater quality and physical power, but those positions may be left for Summer.

Just as there will be other options that I’m missing here but, from the top of my head, these would be great adds to the squad.

This leads us to the second problem: the players leaving the Club. 

Their level is so good, that no one seems really keen to sign them. 

That means that the Club may face some situation where their position will not be the best to negotiate.

That leads me to another thought I’ve been having and that becomes more prominent when I heard someone saying that “United is a snake’s nest”.

My thought is: are all players real about their position in Football worldwide VS world’s perspective of their talent?

In all honesty, what’s their worldwide impact?

The likes of Rashford’s, Garnacho’s, Malacia’s, Zirkzee’s, De Ligt’s, Onana’s, Dalot’s, and many others.

They are living the dream of many, they are Manchester United players!

But they aren’t definitely among the top 5 players in the world in their respective positions, just as Manchester United is historically one of the Top 5 Clubs worldwide!

Some work (or demonstrate to work) more than others, to be more eager to reach that level, and that’s exactly what United need at the moment.

Therefore, how can that become a “snake’s nest”?

We need some realism here, some humility.

And hard work.

Just like yesterday.

The good news is that next game is only on the 12th of January, which means a full week of recovery + training!

And my bets will be in place, because I said before that Ruben wouldn’t lose again against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Levels are still very different, but my belief in Ruben keeps intact.

As always.

Until there, can we see the first market move?

Let’s wait and see!