Sad to say but somehow it has become only too noticeable that away defeats are becoming a constant embarrassment that continues to torment the Manchester United squad.
When it mattered most, the Red Devils, for all their newfound bravado and encouraging signs of improvement this period, were clearly unable to lead by example when the odds were stacked up against them at St James’ Park against a determined, and obviously much more proficient, Newcastle United side.
Having been tossed aside by the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City and Watford on the road last season, this season is seeing the likes of Aston Villa, Brentford and Newcastle United who are throwing the punches this time around. Mention needen’t even be made of what Manchester City and Liverpool did to them.
The latest 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday being the sixth away defeat in seven games against top-half teams this season, it’s undeniable that United still have some ways yet to traverse before they can even turn their thoughts to being genuine title contenders since the early glory years. The scoreline at St James’ Park may not have shown it but the performance was nonetheless incriminating.
This is the same United that only five weeks after beating the same rivals at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final to end their six-year wait for a trophy, just rolled over lamely to allow the Magpies to rule the pitch. The atmosphere got cranked up a clear notch with the 50,000 Geordies whooping it up as they obviously understood how momentous the the occasion was and the importance of three points in the race for a final top-four finish.
United, sadly, seemed not to grasp the significance and were unable to even lay a finger on Newcastle as Nick Pope hummed his way all through the match, earning his easiest clean sheet all season.
The Reds – clearly disjointed and uninspired throughout a hot, steamy afternoon on Tyneside – were no match at all for their erstwhile opponents, a loss that clearly showed how much they missed the potency of Casemiro in midfield, and would have conceded the 3 points on an even greater margin had it not been for some wasteful Newcastle finishing.
Credit is certainly due to Luke Shaw for his blunt denunciation of their very poor and abject performance without attempting to conceal anything.
“We are a team and when we go out on that pitch we all need to fight for each other and we need to be there for each other,” Shaw told Sky Sports. “Sometimes, this season, it has not shown like that.
“As I have said, we had a good chat in the changing room after. I am sure we will go through it all again and speak again because I think it is important we need to realise the problems, realise them quick and change them around because we can still have a very good season.
“But with results and performances like this we can’t.”
To reiterate, the Red Devils’ away losses are becoming too familiar a recurrent theme and United’s miserable tally of just five points from a possible 27 against top 12 teams away from home this term is serious cause for concern, despite what manager Ten Hag would care to think or say in their defence. The players huddle together in their shells when the flak is flying all over while they obviously struggle groping for solutions. A most disconcerting sight to look at.
The glaring fact that United are sadly lacking leaders with the kind of caliber and mettle that can inspire the rest of the team. The situation becomes confusing and definitely exacerbated when the gaffer himself, of all people, proudly praised his side’s mentality and the roles of United’s leaders ahead of the inglorious 7-0 massacre at the hands of Liverpool last month.
“I think our team, our mentality in general is very good,” said the Dutchman. “I think we also have many leaders who set the mentality, who set the standards, who control the standards, who correct if necessary.
“I think we are happy with this process but it can always be better. That has to be the approach.”
No one in his right mind doubts that the results could definitely be way better. The Red Devils, to their credit, have certainly made loads of progress but are undeniably still capitulating when pressure comes knocking on their door away from home. It’s a shame to see the number of individuals who have failed to step up and lead by example when the heavy artillery is needed.
Ten Hag has unquestionably brought a measure of control and confidence back to the squad. This said, he still has lots more to do if they are serious about regaining old glories as a squad fully prepared to go the whole hog to come anywhere near the pinnacle that Sir Alex Ferguson had brought them to.
The time certainly isn’t there yet for either Ten Hag or his boys to smugly pat themselves on their shoulders.