Manchester United appear to be doing the polar opposite of what the Bible says about Jesus Christ rising from the grave at this time of year, just as the Bible says.

As recently as Easter Sunday in 2019, United were beaten 4-0 by Everton at Old Trafford, a low point that then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vowed would never be reached again. In 2022, the result wasn't nearly as bleak a week before Easter, but Ralf Rangnick struck a same chord with an admission that United were far from good enough at Goodison Park and that they needed to improve.

On that day three years ago, United's players were remembered for how quickly they surrendered, and the same was true on Saturday. Solskjaer pledged a fresh start following the incident in 2019, but the club failed to deliver on that promise fully in the summer. United must rebuild in the appropriate manner this time.

It was most likely a nugget of injury news supplied by Rangnick that revealed the current state of the United squad ahead of such a reshuffling of the roster. Having been obliged to substitute Paul Pogba for Fred after 36 minutes, he was asked about the fitness of the Brazilian after the game.

The following is what Rangnick had to say: "Fred was experiencing some muscular discomfort in his hip flexor. We've already been without [Scott] McTominay for several weeks. It's not good for us if we don't have both defensive midfielders available."

Rangnick might just as easily have stated that United possesses no midfielders at all. Without Fred, who has been unquestionably United's most productive outfielder in recent weeks, and McTominay, his alternatives are limited to an aging Nemanja Matic and a distracted Paul Pogba, who has long been distracted ahead of his eventual summer departure from the club.

Manchester United's midfield needs a massive overhaul next season, especially if former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag joins the team at Old Trafford. People want more midfielders, and the MEN just reported that United are interested in Leeds' Kalvin Phillips, but it is unclear whether or not several deals can be struck, given how difficult and costly it is to sign multiple players.

When it comes to building a new Manchester United team, Fred and McTominay, who are frequently derided by a portion of the club's fan base, must be central pillars.
After he stepped up in the pandemonium of the 4-0 loss in 2019, a group of United supporters defiantly sang the Scot's name around Liverpool's Stanley Park. McTominay had demonstrated something that few of his Manchester United colleagues possessed - a willingness to keep working hard no matter what the score or the circumstances.

Nowadays, Fred is just as dependable and, in some ways, even more vital to the team; he has demonstrated under Rangnick that he is capable of providing a cutting edge through midfield in a more advanced position. Fans who used to despise the No.17 have grown to appreciate him.

United will, without a doubt, need to add players this summer, particularly in midfield. However, it is also important that they usher a large number of players out the door as well, beginning with Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Juan Mata – three out-of-contract midfielders who are currently on the market. Edinson Cavani will be the next, and everyone else will have to follow.

Because of their hard ethic and mindsets, three successive Manchester United managers (four if you count former caretaker Michael Carrick) have taken a liking to Fred and McTominay. In addition to spending £52million on Fred and giving McTominay his chance from the academy, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stuck with the pair despite widespread calls for them to be released, and Carrick continued that trend.

Even Rangnick has come to the conclusion that Fred and McTominay are in no way a problem at Old Trafford. None of these things will solve the club's problems, but more players willing to fight like "McFred" would be good for the team, not bad.

With far to drive and commitment, the present squad is appallingly lacking. It would be wrong to fire a couple of hard workers who have put in their time.