Manchester United s failure in the opening game reveals midfielder s stubbornness

Old Trafford's scoreboard was frozen at 0-1, and the differences between Red Devils fans on social media were more dazzling than the shooting data on the field. Behind the 22 shots were the initial chemical reaction between new player Mbeumo and Cunya, as well as the fatal mistake caused by goalkeeper Baindir's cowardly attack. As Casemiro admitted after the game: the bottom line of 'Manchester United must win' is loosening, but the comparison of the 1.87 expected goal (xG) shown by Opta data with opponent Arsenal's 0.89xG hints that the deadliest lesions of this team that spent £200 million to rebuild the front line are still in the midfield. When the 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder was still entrusted with important tasks by Amorin, while Ugat and Menu were on standby on the bench, the booing echoed in the stands of the Dream Theater had given a diagnosis.

Mbeumo's hurricane-like breakthrough on the right and Cunia's ghostly running were indeed eye-catching. The former's successful 3.2 times per 90 minutes confirmed the value of its wing point, and the latter's performance of three players in the first half reminds people of Di Maria at its peak. But the problem is: When Slovenian center Sesco came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, the Whoscored scoring system captured a cruel reality - the three new players shot in a total of 12 shots and only 2 shots. This continued Manchester United's embarrassing record of 44 goals in the Premier League last season, and also exposed the fatal flaw of the Amorin system: the lack of a midfield metronome like Arsenal Odgao has caused forward players to retreat to get the ball, which has always lacked the end point of a fatal blow in the penalty area. Signing a No. 6 player before the transfer window is closed has become an urgent task, but the deeper crisis comes from club culture. When Casemiro claimed that he didn't care about criticism, StatsBomb's oppressive data (PPDA) revealed a more serious fact: Manchester United's midfield interception efficiency (9.3 times/90 minutes) fell to fifth-last in the Premier League. This reminds people of Keane's steel will in the Ferguson era, but now it has evolved into a vicious cycle of "back-middle black hole" - from Moyes to Tenhager, five coaches failed here. Perhaps as 442 magazine said: 'What Manchester United needs is not another savior, but a modern management system that can withstand the scrutiny of a 7×24-hour microscope'. Cesco's starting performance against Fulham this Sunday may determine the narrative tone of this season.