Nobody was minding Manchester United a month ago; if ever there was someone taking notice other than Old Trafford loyalists (who, at the time, were also temporarily disgruntled), these are those who came bearing shovels offering to help dig Manchester United’s grave. The afterlife awaits, they say, and that is relegation. They openly sniggered at Manchester United’s misfortunes.
Fifteenth at the table with three losses and a draw after six matches to start the 2020-21 English Premier League season, who is to say that the insults were undeserved?
Now, the same lot who (prematurely) dismissed Manchester United as an empty threat must’ve felt blindsided and stung. Everton, West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, and West Ham United could’ve all sworn: Manchester United has been the devil’s work as of late.
The Red Devils have returned from hell.
For a while there, Manchester United looked like they lost their footing and sense of direction. They finished third-best in the previous season and went undefeated in their last 14 Premier League matches, never conceding a match beginning the first day of February until the tournament ended in late July.
That is why it was surprising and frustrating seeing the Reds amble about to start the 2020-21 Premier League season. A lone goal and terrible defense against Crystal Palace and Tottenham would’ve sent fan morale plunging en route to a fiery crash if not for the reprieve and feeling of hope winning 3-2 against Brighton and 4-1 against Newcastle.
Slumped as far back as 16th place in the table, the Red Devils, all of a sudden, are at 4th. As of this writing, they are the only club in the Premier League sporting a four-match winning streak. And oddly enough, they’ve won all five away matches, seemingly enjoying playing in enemy territory where they are relaxed and lethal, scoring three or more goals four out of five away matches.
A lot of things can change in one month.
One man can change a lot of things.
If we want to imagine where Manchester United is headed from this point forward, we have to examine the team in the context of its recent fruitful player acquisition dealings. First, it was Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes in January. The attacking midfielder has been a steady presence. The pricey Portuguese acquisition is consistent in his scoring and playmaking chores. He is one of the major reasons why Manchester United escaped a bottom half slot at the table and managed to finish third last season. One man led Manchester United to a gallant final stand and a decent finish.
In October, another esteemed player bolstered the Red Devils roster: Edinson Cavani.
Manchester United’s scoring potential resting on the shoulders of its youthful scorers has never been in question. I think what was lacking was maturity that is resolute, leadership that is deliberate and felt, and grit that is palpable, from men possessing skill, experience, gravitas, and battle scars. Fernandes appeared settled in. Cavani, without a doubt, will reach the same comfort level and cohesion with teammates soon. Cavani and Fernandes are what youngsters Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood need if Manchester United wants to truly unleash the feral beasts caged inside these sometimes unsure and unconfident Red Devils. They will flourish and evolve into next-level cold-blooded assassins in the company of men that can provide stability.
This is important especially for Rashford, Greenwood, and Fernandes, especially in the coming days. They will need all the momentum and inspiration from a 4-match domestic streak if they want to keep Manchester United’s run unbroken and become legitimate contenders once again. A lot hangs in the balance considering the recent injury to Cavani and Martial during the match with West Ham. Where they are physically in the days to come will influence the tactical move of Reds manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and possibly, the state of confidence of the Red Devils. Fernandes and Rashford, by and large, are both reliable. Paul Pogba should feel inspired after scoring against West Ham. And hopefully, this is Greenwood resurrected after a considerable slump.
After all, it is not an interesting prospect – to march to the site of dug earth and be handed the shovel once again, tasked to finish digging the grave where relegation-bound clubs are buried.