Manchester United are currently on a four game unbeaten streak, with three wins and a draw. One of those wins being the FA Cup’s Third Round win against Aston Villa on the 10th of January. The last Premier League win for the Red Devils came on the 22nd of January, when Manchester’s born and bred, Marcus Rashford scored the winner in the last minute of added time against the West Ham Hammers.
After Rashford’s “Fergie Time” winner, it appeared the club were finally heading in a positive direction upwards. Interim coach Ralf Rangnick, stated in December that the January transfer window would be full of outgoings rather than the fans’ outcries of signing a defensive midfielder. Ever since the winner against West Ham, the club’s fan base has been displeased with the direction of the club.
United still have the FA Cup and Champions League trophies in their sights, while the Premier League top 4 finish may be the main priority. It has still been since United’s Europa League victory in 2017 when the club last added a trophy to the cabinet and fans are getting very restless over the club’s standards and values.
Greenwood Appears to be Finished
Those club standards were again looked at in disgust when fans came to see the club’s brightest youngster, Mason Greenwood, in front of headlines the morning of January 30th. Those headlines were not football related, but criminal allegations related for the 20-year old forward.
Greenwood is currently in holding at the Greater Manchester Police Station on allegations of rape and domestic assault, against his girlfriend, Harriet Robson. The 22-year old took to Instagram the early morning of the 30th to post pictures, video and audio clips of the horrific behavior of her boyfriend. These images included major bruising on different parts of the body, a busted lip with the caption “to everyone who wants to know what mason greenwood actually does to me”.
Since forth, Nike, Manchester United and multiple sponsors have stated their momentary pause on all things Mason Greenwood and will part ways until more evidence is gathered. Things have already started to change on the team’s official website and inside the team store. Halting his name and jersey from being sold and appearing on the online site.
Things do not look bright and this story shocked the football world as Greenwood was deemed a star for the next decade and another one of United’s star academy products. Even if on the steep chance of being found guilty, it is hard to imagine he can be forgiven or welcomed back inside Old Trafford or any team for that matter.
Transfer Window Closes
The January transfer window is now officially closed across Europe. Kylian Mbappe has reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the summer, Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyeng has transferred to Barcelona and Declan Rice is staying put at West Ham.
United denied transfer loans for Jesse Lingard and Dean Henderson to West Ham and Watford as they are deemed to stay for the remainder of the season. With the Greenwood situation that unfolded, it makes sense that the Red Devils will have to hold onto Lingard to keep the squad’s depth. Long time red, Phil Jones also rejected a move to France’s Bordeaux as he believes he can have a spot in the first team.
There were no transfer incomings for the Red Devils as like Rangnick said in December, there were plenty of outgoings. Anthony Martial got his wish of getting a loan deal and is now in Spain training with Sevilla. Donny van de Beek will also get a shot at starting XI football with his loan move to Everton. Van de Beek has never really gotten going since being signed in 2020 and this loan move could be very good to the Dutch player’s career. Youngster Amad Diallo also loaned, to Rangers FC where he scored in his debut at the weekend.
The squad appears to be lacking depth, but perhaps with this international break and a more manageable squad, more positivity will come from within. It is hard to imagine that this squad can actually improve after this month, but their football gameplay has been improving.
Looking Ahead
United’s next game will be on February fourth, a Friday evening FA Cup Fourth round fixture against Middlesbrough. The Game will be played at 12:00 PM PT at Old Trafford. Those on the West Coast can watch the game on ESPN+.
The next Premier League game will be the following Tuesday against Burnley and then a game at that weekend against Southhampton.
United have a fairly easy schedule for the month of February and have a huge chance at solidifying their spot in the top four. Surely 10-12 points out of 5 league games will mean a somewhat successful month.
The Champions League also returns this month, when Atletico Madrid travel from Spain to face the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Wednesday the 23rd.
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