Manchester united
It's difficult to take the positive out of a negative result, but Erik ten Hag's job in the coming days will be to ensure Manchester United build on a performance that finally showed promising signs in this season.
Wednesday's 4-3 loss to FC Copenhagen was the ninth in 17 games this season, a truly hopeless record in a season that is threatening to spin horribly out of control. But at Parken Stadium there are significant challenges ahead for those leaning towards United.
Had it not been for Marcus Rashford's red card in the 42nd minute, United would have won this match, although the sending off does not excuse another dismal collapse, after leading 2-0 in the first half. That period then 3-2 in the seventh minute. play But somehow United played with 11 men and for much of the second half there was enough promise to only hint at the possibility of a corner being taken. Certainly more than any other recent performance.
There has been a recent temptation to hail the disjointed, scrappy and unconvincing wins over Brentford, Sheffield United and Fulham as turning points, but that was just wishful thinking based on results where performances were lacking. As soon as the pressure increases, the confidence gained from these matches disappears, because behind it there is nothing but the consolation of a victory.
When analyzing their team's play, coaches and managers often use statements such as seeing "a future in performance". It misses the point, and if you know the performance you're getting, in the long run, the results will come. For much of this season, United's performances showed no future.
Recently, this has shown itself in the way they play without the ball. Having looked quite dangerous in the first few weeks of the season, they began to look like a team without a plan, struggling to create enough chances and relying on set pieces or individual moments to score.
It had been six games since a striker had scored for United until Wednesday, when, for much of the first half, they produced arguably their best attacking display of the season. Even when they were down after the break, they still threatened quite often and at times moved the ball very well. This approach resulted in three goals conceded and disappointingly they allowed FC Copenhagen to score four goals and leave their Champions League campaign on the brink of collapse. It's been another shocker this season, but if anything is to be salvaged, results need to change immediately.
United can at least go into the final international break until March with a win. Luton Town travel to Old Trafford on Saturday and Erik ten Hag's side will be the favourites.
But they shouldn't just be looking for wins, they should be looking to take another step forward in their form and produce a better attacking game once again. The key to this will lie in the trio of Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Antony has largely gone unnoticed in recent times, but replacing him with Garnacho rather than using Bruno Fernandes or Mason Mount on the right wing is a bold move. This meant moving Rashford to the right wing but until he received the red card, he was playing well.
The pace of this trio is a threat on the counter-attack and although Luton will not provide the same spaces, the wingers will be capable of causing problems again. United have not won by more than one goal in 15 Premier League and Champions League games this season, but Saturday should be a chance to change that. Bringing Antony back into the team would certainly feel like a step backwards after recent performances and after two more goals in Europe, Hojlund should regain his confidence and be ready to make a breakthrough in the Premier League.
Failure in the Champions League does not mean that Ten Hag is to blame, but the pressure is certainly on the Dutchman. In Copenhagen, he should have seen signs of life in his team's performance, but they must now build on that.
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