MANCHESTER UNITED have endured their worst begin to a season in six a long time.
The Crimson Devils are presently eighth within the Premier League regardless of spending a further £170million in the course of the summer season switch window.
Man Utd have endured a poor begin to the seasonCredit score: Getty
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are presently the membership’s two beginning centre-backsCredit score: Getty
They’re additionally susceptible to dropping out of the Champions League on the group levels.
And to make issues worse, they crashed out of the Carabao Cup final week following a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle.
United boss Erik ten Hag has spent round £407m in whole since taking the helm at Previous Trafford final summer season, however he’s but to construct a squad that may problem for the league title.
Arguably United’s weakest space proper now’s in defence, with £55m man Lisandro Martinez set for a protracted spell on the sidelines with a foot damage.
Each Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have additionally been absent for almost all of the season to this point, whereas Aaron Wan-Bissaka has simply returned from a hamstring damage.
Ten Hag is now placing all his religion within the likes of Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Raphael Varane, in the meantime, has been benched for the final three video games for “tactical” causes.
However Man Utd’s defensive points might have been dramatically decreased had they signed one of many Premier League’s most promising centre-backs 4 years in the past.
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Man Utd had the prospect to signal Nathan Collins again in 2019Credit score: Getty
In 2019 the Crimson Devils had been linked with then-18-year-old Stoke star Nathan Collins.
Nonetheless, a deal by no means got here to fruition.
Collins went on to affix Burnley in 2021, the place he spent one season earlier than transferring to Wolves.
And in July he accomplished a club-record £23m switch to Brentford, the place he has since established himself as an vital first crew participant.
The Eire worldwide scored the successful objective to finish Brentford’s spectacular comeback towards West Ham on Saturday.
And he has since obtained heaps of reward from each followers and his supervisor, Thomas Frank.
Talking after the match, Frank mentioned: “There’s a lot potential in Nathan.
“He’s simply began his profession, roughly. I do know he’s performed Premier League soccer earlier than, however at 22 you aren’t even near your highest stage.
“He’s finished effectively for us. Final week [the 2-0 win over Chelsea] was a superb step in the fitting route. I feel at this time [there were] additionally numerous vital clearances on set items after which he lastly scored. What a cross from Mathias Jensen and what a header.”
Followers took to social media following the 3-2 win to laud the younger defender, with one individual writing: “Nathan Collins – what a signing.”
One other added: “Nathan Collins was phenomenal at this time. MOTM.”
A 3rd fan wrote: “£23m for Nathan Collins seems to be increasingly more like a cut price with each recreation that goes by.”
Whereas a fourth merely mentioned: “Nathan Collins. F*****g mustard.”
On high of his membership profession, Collins has made 17 senior appearances for the Republic of Eire, scoring as soon as.
Collins scored the successful objective as Brentford beat West Ham 3-2 on SaturdayCredit score: AP