United Draws vs Leicester at the Weekend
Manchester United drop points again after a 1-1 draw at home against Leicester City at the weekend. Red Devils couldn’t find the winning goal after Fred knotted up the game in the 66th minute.
With no Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad sheet and Marcus Rashford not featured in the XI, it was Paul Pogba who got the start at forward. Another questionable starting XI from interim manager Ralf Rangnick that left many fans unnerved. It was Rangnick who decided to keep Rashford in the dog house and neglect the academy product from playing through the middle. The tactics didn’t work out and Pogba was much of a bystander for 70 plus minutes.
Fred could have offered much more support if he were to start higher in the pitch against the Foxes. Scott McTominay disappointed again as well as Jadon Sancho. It was a team that definitely looked sluggish and struggling to find motivation as the season draws closer to the end.
Contract Talks- Bruno Fernandes Extension
It was made official after the international break that United’s “Portuguese Magnifico” signed a contract extension with the club that sees him wearing a red shirt through the 2026 season. This was a unanimous decision as since coming to the club in 2020, Bruno Fernandes has been United’s best player for the last few seasons. Through 118 games, Fernandes has registered 49 goals and 40 assists which has been the most productive since he’s arrived at Old Trafford. A no brainer contract extension that gives many Red Devil fans comfort that their star is locked up for at least another four seasons.
Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Fred are all notable Red Devils who the club are hoping at resigning and extending their contracts. Pogba seems to be disgruntled and unsettled again after coming from the international break with France. It was during the break that the Frenchmen expressed his desire to win and win trophies, as well as him revealing his lack of identity and role with United. It seems unlikely that the Red Devils keep Pogba this summer and he may very well have a chance to go play football elsewhere.
Shaw, Rashford and Fred all seem likely to pen a new contract in the coming weeks. They are all in good standings with the fans and all three play a big part in the starting XI when healthy. The biggest of the trio will be Rashford’s contract. In what has been his worst season for the club, the perennial winger/forward still has so much football in his career to be played. He is Manchester born and bred, a major figure in the country and a true talent. With the likelihood of Mason Greenwood never returning for the club, it should be a massive goal for the club to resign Rashford. A tough spell that the lad is going through can always be subdued with a new contract, as many have seen what the 24-year old can do on the pitch.
It is likely that the club will let Phil Jones, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, to name a few, walk at the season’s end. With a lack of playing time and new coach in the horizon it is unclear whether any of these players can really get back to first team football with the club. Lingard should have been loaned out once more and his morale has to be shot, with a spot on the England International Squad in real jeopardy ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The club has reportedly been split on who the board should appoint as their next manager and that might be the best news. The team needs a massive change from the board down. The stadium needs renovation, the club needs a real manager and the dressing room needs a good cleanse of egos and hard heads. Lots of work to do for the club, but it being the biggest club in the world, brighter days shouldn’t be too far ahead Red Devils.
United plays next at the weekend at Goodison Park, where the club faces Everton. Crystal Palace beat Arsenal 3-0, which really helps United’s cause at top 4. However, the club is currently sitting at 7th, so a massive end of the season run is called for.
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