da heads bet： United had pitiful levels of possession and offered little in attack beyond their stunning goal at Turf Moor – they badly need a defined style of play
da pinnacle： It felt like a huge victory. "A must-win game" was how Erik ten Hag described it and the visiting fans were in fine voice after the full-time whistle at Turf Moor, serenading unlikely hero Jonny Evans with songs they used to sing about Gary Neville and John O'Shea.
But strip away the emotion of getting a first away victory of the season and the feel-good factor of Evans' virtuoso display, and Manchester United's scrappy 1-0 win at Burnley felt less like a turning point for Erik ten Hag's side and more like a sign of how low they have sunk.
Beyond Bruno Fernandes' world-class volley, there was little to brag about from a disjointed and ugly win by the narrowest of margins over a team that have taken just one point from five matches since returning to the Premier League. Even though the three points were badly needed, United's abject performance in Lancashire showed how the club are in desperate need of an identity. Unless they find one, they will have precious few more moments to celebrate.
Getty ImagesPitiful levels of possession
The name Burnley used to be a synonym for ugly football, an antidote to the usual glitz and glamour of the Premier League and a reminder that you can still get far with hard work and grit. But the tables were truly turned on Saturday as the Clarets played the most attractive football and United, who were always renowned for scintillating, attacking play, acted like destroyers.
Vincent Kompany may have transformed Burnley into a far more attractive side than they were under Sean Dyche, and they won promotion last season in record-breaking time. However, you would still expect United, with their budget, to take the initiative.
Instead, they had just 38 percent of possession, the lowest of the four visitors to Turf Moor this season (Manchester City had 65%, Aston Villa 43% and Tottenham 54%). They also came away with the narrowest scoreline, with City easing to a 3-0 victory, Villa winning 3-1 and Tottenham hammering Kompany's side 5-2.
Burnley also made 647 passes, more than in any previous Premier League game, with United making just 400. Possession is not always the key to victory, but United's scant time on the ball has to be a concern. For one five-minute period in the second half, they had just 10% possession. They were too slow when they built out from the back and, the goal aside, they had few effective counter-attacks.
AdvertisementGetty Clean sheet but three lucky breaks
Given that United had lost their previous three matches in all competitions and had conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games for the first time since 1978, it was understandable that Ten Hag pointed to his team's defensive security after the game.
United had conceded 14 goals in their previous five games and travelled to Turf Moor missing three of their five centre-backs (four if you count Luke Shaw), so the clean sheet was very welcome.
"We were very disciplined and followed the rules," Ten Hag said. "There is togetherness and there is unity and there is real good spirit in the dressing room."
The manager's analysis ignored three key moments in the game, however: Zeki Amdouni's header which was saved by Andre Onana, another strike from the Swiss that come off the post and Sander Berge sending a free header over the bar in the second half. This was far from the perfect defensive display, and a side more clinical than Burnley would have punished United.
Getty ImagesFans want attacking football
There was something odd about Ten Hag hailing his side for being disciplined and following the rules, especially in the manner he put it: "When you defend with 11 and you do it in the right moment then it is very difficult to play against Manchester United."
United managers of the past would usually utter the club's name like that after a great comeback from several goals down or an awesome attacking display, not after a narrow 1-0 win against a team in the relegation zone. United's global fanbase did not start following the team due to their defensive might or their adeptness in following rules.
They were attracted by the stories of Sir Matt Busby telling his team it was their duty to entertain fans and give them some respite after a punishing week working down the mines or in the factories. They were lulled by the thrilling wing play of Sir Alex Ferguson's teams of the 1990s, and the star power of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo through the 2000s.
"Attack, attack, attack" is what the Stretford End chants, not "defend, defend, defend". That is why Jose Mourinho was never the right fit for United, despite his knack for winning trophies. United's style of play was renowned around the world, but now the club seems to be suffering from an identity crisis.
Getty ImagesNothing like Ten Hag's Ajax
Ten Hag was hired by United largely because of his commitment to attacking football with Ajax. In his first full season in charge of the Amsterdam giants in 2018-19, the manager oversaw one of the most breathtaking tales in recent Champions League history. His side outclassed and knocked out then holders Real Madrid, winning 4-1 at Santiago Bernabeu, while also slaying Ronaldo and Juventus in the quarter-finals.
His side were also a joy to watch domestically. In his three full seasons in charge (the 2019-20 season ended prematurely due to Covid-19), they scored an average of 106 goals per campaign. In that remarkable 2018-19 season, they netted 119 goals in just 34 games. His expected goal difference per 90 minutes read +1.73 for that first campaign and +1.93 for the next two.
Contrast that with his United side. Even though the Red Devils finished third last season, they scored just 58 goals in the Premier League, posting a measly expected goals difference per 90 minutes of +0.45. This season they have scored just six goals in six league games while conceding 11, posting an XG of -0.05.