Manchester United picked up a narrow 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.
Casemiro saved Manchester United from another disappointing result by flicking home Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick in the 89th minute.
Erik ten Hag’s side have set up a quarter-final match with either Liverpool but it was far from a great display.
Here are five things we learned.
READ MORE: Who is Bruno Fernandes? Inside the life of Manchester United’s Portuguese Magnifico
Fernandes shows why he’s captain
Bruno Fernandes‘ captaincy once again came into question this week after he was spotted needlessly arguing with the referee after the defeat to Fulham.
It may not be becoming of a skipper but his commitment to the cause can not be questioned in the slightest.
Fernandes was an injury doubt ahead of the match yet he fought through the pain to start once again.
The playmaker has yet to miss a single game due to injury since he signed for the club in January 2020 and has never shied away in difficult circumstances.
That can’t be said for several other members of the squad and shows why he wears the armband.
Ten Hag still not learning his lessons
Even after his side was repeatedly overrun in midfield and defeated by a Fulham team who had won away just twice all season on Saturday, Ten Hag didn’t seem to make many changes to his tactical set-up.
Once again Fernandes and Scott McTominay were asked to press high up the pitch to help the attack but this in turn left Casemiro all alone in a farmer’s field of space.
The 32-year-old has clearly lost a yard of pace this season and can not cope when left exposed against several attackers.
Forget Fulham, this was an issue on the opening day of the season against Wolves and it still hasn’t changed.
An extremely worrying lack of development.
It’s time to try something new upfront
You wouldn’t know it by watching him play but Marcus Rashford was a striker at some point in his career.
Those days are long gone now, though, he doesn’t like leading the line and he isn’t very good at it.
Rashford doesn’t have the presence and impetus Rasmus Hojlund brings to the position and United struggle as a result without a focal point in attack.
Alan Shearer was left flabbergasted when Rashford complained about being muscled off the ball in the first half and it epitomised the problem with playing him there.
It really is time for something new. It’s clear how much better an option Scott McTominay would be.
A left-back solution found?
Left-back has been an issue all season and will continue to be one while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain sidelined.
But in Sofyan Amrabat, United have at least a short-term solution to the issue.
Harry Maguire’s injury forced a shift in the back with Victor Lindelof moving into the centre after playing at left-back in recent matches.
But the Swede hardly looks comfortable at full-back on his strongest foot and often found himself lost when on the opposite flank.
In contrast, Amrabat looks much more at home and can advance the play thanks to his stronger skills in possession.
It’s a change that needs to stay.
Antony doesn’t take his chance
Ten Hag may have publically backed Antony but never has a winger looked less ‘unstoppable’.
The Brazilian was given his second start of 2024, with the other coming in the previous round against Newport, but it was an anonymous performance when not facing League Two competition.
Antony has offered nothing in an attacking sense for a long time and his chances are surely running out.
To find one area of praise, he was quite good at tracking back and helping out the defence. Perhaps there is a future for him there.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/j8uTEsW