The results have not quite come so far, but I feel far more positive about where we are than a year ago. Our football under Mourinho was fecking dreadful near the end and his behaviour was atrocious. Performances have been worthy of several more points this season, whereas last year we were lucky to be where we were as we were leaking shots everywhere at the back.
This time last year (according to Understat) our xG/xGA/xPts were 28.22/26.53/23.92. We’re better on all accounts this year, especially on the last two counts with 29.51/16.85/31.83. You cannot really control results. The process has improved and over time this should mean we see it in results, especially when this young side matures.
A couple of matches aside, our general pattern of play has been better, but we keep leaking cheap goals. Today was a classic example. With our decent, but not sensational attack, it’s going to be hard to have many more points than we currently do with only two clean sheets. I’m increasingly frustrated with De Gea, who commanding the pay pack he does needs to consistently deliver world class performances and he’s done it once only in the last four seasons really. There may be a decision to make with him down the line with Romero and Henderson waiting in the wings. I’m far more confident with Romero in goal right now.
Going forward, we need some depth. We’ve only really got Rashford, Martial, James and Greenwood across the front three and it is difficult for the manager to change the game from the bench currently. Gomes and Chong aren’t ready and no one else can play there well. Haaland and Sancho would be real exciting buys to give us real options across a full 90, and around injuries and form. I do think the manager needs these tools and I’d be excited to see what he could do with them. There’s also the small matter of us having been without our best player for most of the season too.
Thankfully we’re in a season where only three sides have shown any real consistency too, so there’s absolutely no need to panic in achieving our honest goals for this season of CL qualification and silverware. I don’t see who else I’d realistically want us to take us into the New Year.