Enzo Fernández was furious in face to face with Mason Mount yesterday: “This is Chelsea, you c*nt!”, told former Blues midfielder
Manchester United didn’t let in less than 16 shots in a game since their first-round FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic in 2024, which is 14 games ago.
It was five weeks and six games ago, when they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 away. That was the last time they let less than 20 shots on goal.
There have been an amazing 134 shots on goal against United in their last five games, and only 11 have gone in. Numerous factors lead to the leaking. Injury problems this season have made it hard to keep the same back line.
Raphael Varane and then replacement Jonny Evans both left the game against Chelsea hurt, leaving only two center backs fully fit. These guys have missed more games than they’ve played this season.
Tyrell Malacia hasn’t played at all because of a long-term knee injury. Casemiro, the pivot, has been terrible this season and is now also an injury worry.
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, has been left to fend for himself far too often. That doesn’t absolve Erik ten Hag of his duty.
People think of the Dutchman as a realist since he joined, but he doesn’t show that side of him very much on the field.
Although it is concerning, Ten Hag has said that he is not too worried about how many shots the other team is getting.
He said after the game on Thursday, “It is ridiculous,” to deny that his team has a defense problem. “We showed that we were fourth in the league in goals conceded, and now everyone is talking to each other. We’re good, we have a good goalie, and we defend well as a team, so I can’t do anything.”
At the press conference afterward, he blamed individual mistakes, saying, “If you have to protect yourself, you have to do it right, and we made the wrong choices.” And on individual mistakes, which is very annoying when you’re at your best.”
