Ruben Amorim was handed his 5th defeat in seven games at Old Trafford in the Premier League after their 2-0 loss to Palace who we've now not scored against in four meetings.
United moved back down to 13th with this loss and 5 points behind the top 10.
WTF is going on guys?
1. Mainoo as striker didn't work
Well, it sort of did for 15 minutes as United seemed to be a lot smoother up front with the makeshift centre-forward. After his first start as a CAM last Thursday against FCSB, we then saw Mainoo show more of his versatility and move as striker.
To be fair to him, I don't think he did much wrong but we just seem to be better suited with someone who is an actual number 9.
After those opening 15 minutes though, Palace figured Mainoo and Amorim's tactics out and it was pretty smooth sailing for them from then on.
Amorim needed to bring one of Zirkzee or Hojlund on earlier and while they may not be what we need at the moment, I do believe we're better off with them in the side.
United also have this uncanny habit of going long even though this isn't necessarily how the manager wants to play but once more displayed our low IQ in that without that target man and someone who is very small, going long made no sense.
Yet we did it all the same.
Mainoo also doesn't have that ability to pin defenders back, hold them off, get physical with them nor does he possess the movement and awareness needed of a centre-forward.
While I do think it was an error by the manager, I do understand why he played the midfielder up front as Hojlund and Zirkzee have both been well below par this season. Amorim said this change was for tactical reasons and that he wanted to match systems with Palace.
That maybe true but I also think he was sending subtle messages to many: the board in that I need a striker, to our two number 9s in that you're not good enough and to the rest of the squad that if you don't perform, I'm willing to put anyone in your position.
2. Too defensive
We're all saying the same thing now that we play with too many defenders/defensive players.
I think Amorim has to stop using Mazraoui AND Dalot as the wing-backs because it simply isn't working especially going forward. They offer nothing down the flanks and while we need two attacking wing-backs, we should be having at least one.
Amad and Garnacho are more at home on the wings as they display their best attributes of taking players on, going down the line and putting crosses in or taking shots. When they're more central, they don't have as much space and time because of how crowded it is even more so when playing against a side that sets up with a low block like Palace.
This 3-4-3 formation also relies a lot on these wing-backs getting forward and making things happen in the final third or make overlapping runs that can help the forward line.
Dalot does join attacks more than Mazraoui but he lacks the quality needed in those areas where we can hurt oppositions. Neither have still provided an assist or scored when playing as wing-backs whereas Amad and Garnacho are usually causing problems whenever out wide.
What's worse is that despite playing with five defenders, we are poor defensively. We concede so many goals and so many stupid goals. United have let in 34 goals this season with countless from crosses and headers. A lot of opposition's target the back post as Mazraoui and Dalot can lose focus in those positions yet it is their position.
Amorim has to use either or if not both Garnacho and Amad out wide. Mazraoui also looks better as a RCB than RWB.
This two defenders as wing-backs thing has to stop. Perhaps attack can be the best form of defence for United 🤷️.
3. Need partner for Ugarte
Not only are we struggling in defense and attack but our midfield doesn't look settled.
Amorim has tried different pairings and none seem to be it.
Ugarte is the constant as he is the CDM and has been doing a fine job too but his partner has not been at the level required to be playing next to him.
Most of the time, it's Mainoo but he has been average at best as the number 8. The manager has come out and spoken about Kobbie's struggles especially defensively and is one of the reasons as to why he's moved him further forward.
You then have the captain Bruno who has been partnered with the Uruguayan as well. The problem with him is that while he may provide more energy and defensive capabilities than Mainoo, he can be very il-disciplined and all over the place.
He appears to be everywhere and nowhere and a lot of time not where he's needed to be. We know that he is good on the ball and can spread passes but that is also very hit and miss from the skipper. Those Hollywood balls are still too regular and more often than not, fails to find it's target.
Without that correct partner for Ugarte, he's having to do a lot of running and ground covering all by himself. It becomes overwhelming for him resulting in our midfield being overrun and opposition's being able to play through it with ease.
Eriksen and Casemiro are out of favor and I'm not sure whether Amorim is willing to throw young Collyer into this dire situation even though he could do a better job.
That midfield duo is as important as the wing-back and striker situation. All these areas play a part in why we are so bad as a team.
4. We miss De Ligt
I don't think this guy has been given much credit this season. I think he has been one of our best defenders and best players so far. He's shown incredible amounts of consistency and professionalism. Pair that with his quality and experience and De Ligt is pretty much the type of character we need at United.
He's importance to the team goes somewhat unnoticed as while he can appear a little shaky with the ball, his overall game is one that we cannot question.
De Ligt is fearless as he throws his body on the line for everything; he tries to win every header (which is not something we can say for others); and we look more organized and settled with him as part of the back three.
Maguire and Yoro were way off it yesterday and we could've used someone like De Ligt in the defence. He would've helped in trying to right some of the wrongs from those two. I also believe he brings more of a presence to our team as he has been at the biggest clubs in Europe and that experience he has is not shared by many.
He and Mazraoui also have a better understanding than Yoro and Mazraoui which can make a difference as well.
5. Martinez out could make BIG difference
Indeed the butcher has been butchered once again after what looked to be another knee injury, his second for the club with the first keeping him out for nigh on two months.
He is becoming quite injury prone with a lot of them being very serious. Weirdly though, they all look innocuous as it wasn't because of a bad tackle or anything but rather just pure bad luck.
But bad luck or not, he looks to be sidelined for quite a while as Amorim came out and said that it is a "serious situation" in regards to this latest setback. Martinez was in tears whilst being stretchered off as well showing the severity of the injury.
He has become so important to the team and how we play football that his absence will certainly be a massive dagger to Amorim.
Martinez has shown a lot of improvement in the last month in terms of how he's been adapting to the new 3-4-3 formation. Many were saying that he looked very uncomfortable as part of the back three.
However, since the turn of the year, he has been almost like a new player. His gotten 2 goals and 2 assists this season and more than that, his passing has gone up a level. I think Amoirm has identified him as the player from the defence that can get us forward due to his superb passing.
We've been noticing this improvement of his in possession with his line-breaking passes being a particular standout. These allow the team to go from defence to attack in one pass while taking a few opposition players out of the game.
Martinez's calmness in possession and under pressure are other parts of his game that not many in the squad possess.
Now that he will be out for a while, it could have serious ramifications for the remainder of the season in all competitions given his importance to how we play.
It shows you just how bad we are when we are relying on a centre-back to be one of our most creative players.
Background Image: Lisandro Martinez in tears while being stretchered off after serious knee injury | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)