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After yet another grim Manchester United midweek home performance, is it time to question Old Trafford’s “fear factor”?
Manchester United’s 3-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain could prove to be the most costly mistake so far this season.
In a campaign that has been littered with terrible showings at Old Trafford, United’s latest performance against the French giants now jeopardizes their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League, as they must now avoid defeat at home. Bundesliga title challengers RB Leipzig.
A loss in Leipzig would see United fall into the Europa League to join fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, another symbol of post-Ferguson demise.
Indeed, United have had a tough time since their top flight defeat to Crystal Palace and pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is mounting.
Here, Mirror Sport looks to United’s disappointing season so far …
(Image: 2019 Getty Images)
The struggles of Solskjaer
The Premier League is more tense than ever so far, with just six points separating the top 11 teams.
United are in ninth place, but with the game in hand they could rise to fourth as early as this Saturday after meeting West Ham, level on points with Chelsea.
The table would suggest that United’s hierarchy is not yet in crisis, but if the results at home continue to disappoint, the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to increase further.
The Norwegian has already endured his fair share of criticism this season, largely due to his reluctance to use the £ 35m Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman spent much of the early stages of his United career watching from the bench, although he impressed when he starred. The former Ajax midfielder even scored a consoling debut in the defeat to Crystal Palace.
(Image: REUTERS)
Problems at home
With nine league games under his belt this season, all three of Manchester United’s defeats have come at home.
Perhaps the most striking metaphor for the decline of Old Trafford’s ‘fortress’ status is the fact that a struggling Arsenal team arrived there without a league win in 14 years and managed to score all three points. .
According to Opta, Manchester United have lost more of their eight home games in all competitions this season (4) compared to 28 games at Old Trafford last season (3).
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United’s saving grace has been the level of performance in their travels, with the second-half’s stunning comeback away to Southampton just the latest in a long string of impressive away performances.
Their last three Premier League games outside Old Trafford have seen Solskjaer’s side score 10 goals; beating Newcastle, Everton and the Saints in the process.
With no spectators in any Premier League match so far, it’s a mystery why United seem to find playing away games less tiring than acting as hosts.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Incoming hammers
This weekend sees United travel to a high-flying West Ham side who currently occupy fifth place after a fantastic phase of form that makes their grim opening day defeat at home to Newcastle a distant memory.
The last time this pair met at London Stadium, the Hammers scored all three points after goals from Andriy Yarmelenko and a splendid free-kick from Aaron Cresswell.
Everyone associated with Manchester United knows that the outcome of Saturday night’s clash could provide the team with the momentum it needs to kick off and secure Champions League football at the end of the campaign, or trigger another series of matches. sad results in case of defeat. West Ham side of former manager David Moyes.
With PSG’s defeat on Wednesday night serving as a reminder of home troubles, United know that every away point is essential as the hectic Christmas schedule draws near.
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