After their 2-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home, it was clear that Manchester United was missing not only quality but also the right mentality.
Bruno Fernandes’s early second-half red card was a blatant show of losing it, as he had already been cautioned early in the first half.
The players seemed to lose their minds and failed to control the game, leading to Wolves’ goal from a straight corner.
Garnacho’s mistake that led to the second goal also clearly showed that the team needed players who were not only of great quality but also had the right mindset.
However, United bought a significant number of players under recently sacked Erik ten Hag who had the quality, e.g. Rasmus Højlund, Antony, and Mason Mount, with incredible price tags.
Despite their great qualities, they seem to lack the drive and mental strength to turn bad moments into good, which is what great players do.
Rasmus has officially arrived 🔥#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/0XYA4kfRo9
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 13, 2024
What Manchester United need going forward
Looking into the future, United should not only focus on great talent but also amazing mental strength for players who can handle the United shirt.
First on the list could be the young players in the academy who seem to be great prospects for the future; they include the likes of Chido Obi-Martin, Ethan Williams, Ethan Ennis, Harry Amass, Dan Gore, Jack Fletcher, Amir Ibragimov and others.
This can be improved with young quality players in the Premier League and other top leagues who have shown to be great at football and also passionate about the game.
Manchester Utd U18s Starting XI vs Coventry in the FAYC:
Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Armer, Amass; Devaney (c), T. Fletcher; Scanlon, Fitzgerald, Biancheri; Chido-Obi. pic.twitter.com/i0HrOR0tPG
— Academy Arena (@academyarenaUTD) December 18, 2024
The incomings should also be at a fair price and not highly overpriced like the Højlund and Antony deals, which are some that United must be regretting despite the potential.
