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Publication date: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 8:27 AM
Jamie Carragher says Manchester United’s lack of solidity in midfield and pace on defense is a “real problem” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Crystal Palace exposed those weaknesses in a comfortable 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Wilfried Zaha in particular tormenting Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Scott McTominay replaced the absent Nemanja Matic in midfield, and the defense was frequently exposed as a result.
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Carragher accepts the lack of sharpness and the preseason had an impact on the result, but says United’s shooting should be a real concern for Solskjaer.
“I wouldn’t get too carried away, it was a really poor performance. It was the first game and it’s hard to judge because we don’t know where the players are in terms of their physical form, ”Carragher said.
“But what I would say is that towards the end of last season they were playing very well, and they will come back to that. But I’m not convinced of this team, which is now becoming a more possession-based team since Fernandes arrived, Pogba is in central midfield. The more possession you have, the more chances you have to fight back.
“That midfield, for me, is not good. They’re big names with Donny and Fernandes though. That team will be too easy to counter again.
“This is Crystal Palace, which is good at counterattacking but does not have the quality that other teams have. With the pace of central defense and how open they are in central midfield, United is going to have a real problem stopping teams on the counter.
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