Manchester United faces a litmus test in the next few weeks

Manchester United is once again the center of debate. The club has had a turbulent few weeks as Erik Ten Hag tries to align his sails. 

Two disappointing Champions League losses and two back-to-back wins in the Premier League have confused those with Man Utd tickets about the club’s future. 

With the new ownership courtesy of Sir Jim Ratcliff, a new wave of hope is coming to the Red Devils as they fight back this season. 

But the real litmus test for Erik Ten Hag and his players will come in the games after the international break, as they will decide where United will finish before the league takes a break for the new year. 

Daunting Challenge Ahead 

United faces a daunting task, and their upcoming game against Everton will be a crucial decider. The 10-point deduction from the FA for breaching financial fair play will likely intensify the atmosphere at Goodison Park for the Premier League clash.

But the challenges only get tougher. They have a crucial Champions League game against Galatasaray at the pressurized RAMS Park. This is the same team that won against United in the home game at Old Trafford, bringing heartbreak to all with Man UTD tickets. 

If the Red Devils want to progress to the next round in the Champions League, they must win this game, and they must win big. 

The next fixture is another test, when United travels to St. James Park to face Newcastle. 

Fans with Man UTD tickets who were at the EFL game between United and Newcastle remember the 3-0 thrashing. But it can be an excellent opportunity for United to seek payback. 

The fixtures keep piling up. Chelsea will visit soon after the trip to Newcastle, and tough away games against Bayern Munich and Liverpool are scheduled before Christmas. 

This stretch from November until Christmas will test United’s position as a top-tier club in the league. 

On paper, the side looks to be the team in form, but their victories have been narrow. 

United have managed to secure three consecutive away league wins, but these victories have been against teams they typically expect to dominate. The win against Fulham was a statement, but it came off Bruno Fernandez in the final quarter. 

Similarly, it was a 1-0 win for United against newly promoted Luton Town. 

However, the side’s away record with the top teams last season was disappointing, and there is some damage limitation this season. While recent away victories have provided some confidence, the upcoming away fixtures against Everton, Galatasaray, and Newcastle will truly test United’s resolve.

One result that every Manchester United fan with Man UTD tickets will not want to see is a defeat against Galatasaray. This would mean it will end for United in the Champions League. 

Each upcoming atmosphere promises to be challenging, putting United’s resilience to the test. Succeeding in these three away fixtures could mark a turning point for United this season.

While the footballing world is already looking for possible replacements for Erik Ten Hag, the team’s wins have restored confidence in the manager. While the progression differs from what is expected, United are fighting back. 

But, following the next few weeks of play, a clear picture can be gotten of whether Erik Ten Hag stays with the Red Devils or whether there will be a new interim manager for the second half of the season. 

Experts Want New Defender

Louis Saha, a former United striker, has hinted to Erik Ten Hag that they should pursue the Nice center-back Jean Jean-Clair Todibo to bolster his defensive line.

Todibo was previously linked to a move under Ten Hag, but it had lots to do with Harry Maguire leaving the club. However, the Maguire deal with West Ham did not go through, and United paused their pursuit. 

In contrast to the previous season, Maguire has had a stellar few games, regaining his form and claiming his starting spot. 

In the absence of Raphael Varane, Maguire has shown the fans that he still has it in him to perform, but the question remains if he can consistently perform. 

However, speculation persists regarding Ten Hag’s interest in reinforcing the defense, and Saha believes Todibo would be a valuable addition. Explaining to Betfred, Saha highlighted Todibo’s defensive prowess, his comfort with the ball, calm demeanor, and suitability to Manchester United’s style of play. 

Louis Saha, the former Manchester United striker, has suggested that Erik ten Hag should consider pursuing Nice center-back Jean-Clair Todibo to bolster his defensive line.

Previously linked with a move to United during Ten Hag’s pursuit to enhance the central defense, Todibo’s potential transfer was associated with United’s efforts to sell Harry Maguire to generate funds.

Despite a failed move to West Ham, Maguire has reclaimed his starting spot amid team injuries, sidelining Raphael Varane. However, there is speculation that Ten Hag is looking for options in the defense. 

Saha highlighted Todibo’s defensive prowess, his comfort with the ball, calm demeanor, and suitability to Manchester United’s style of play.

United is also searching for a striker after the Antony experiment failed miserably. 

Antony and Sancho are Set for January Exit 

When United signed Antony and Jaden Sancho, those with Man UTD tickets went wild. However, United is considering selling both in the January transfer window. 

With the change of ownership, reports are emerging that Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, and Antony might depart the club in January. Additionally, businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s confirmation of the minority stake means that the club will have a new order. 

According to The Sun, Brazilian forward Antony, who has struggled to make an impact since his high-profile move from Ajax, could be on his way out. Jadon Sancho was sidelined after a disagreement with manager Erik ten Hag regarding his training performance. 

Anthony Martial’s form has never peaked, even after his return from loan to Sevilla, and he brings a significantly weakened approach to his gameplay. Assault allegations mar Antony’s recent past, and since then, he has not featured in any of the United starting XIs. 

Fans also named Antony the biggest flop signing in the last few years. When United paid 100 million pounds for Antony from Ajax, everyone expected him to be the next big star. But he crashed even before he took off. 

The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United might trigger a reevaluation of the club’s recent hefty transfer spending, amounting to £1.4 billion since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Ratcliffe is purportedly seeking explanations regarding these significant expenditures.