Man United reconnect to days of glories past

They ripped a stalemate out of the jaws of victory, with Junior Kroupi scything through the United defence to make it 4-4 in the dying stages of the match. But I think the general feeling around United is one of cautious optimism. Sure, no other side in the top half of the table has conceded as many goals as this generous United outfit. But it feels as if there is a swagger back at Old Trafford. They almost remind me of the Vialli-era Chelsea side (they may not win titles, but they may win hearts and minds along the way).

Cunha outshines Mbeumo

Man United’s most successful periods (going back to the likes of Law and Best) have been built on swashbuckling attacking football. Sir Alex Ferguson embraced this attacking philosophy, watching in giddy joy as his team engaged in basketball-style matches. The post-Fergie period had been defined by a move away from this attacking philosophy, with the likes of Moyes and Mourinho trying to bring a touch more pragmatism to proceedings. And you could just feel the energy sapping out of Old Trafford as the years rolled on. Amorim- for all his myriad faults- has brought back a feelgood factor this season. Their new attacking signings (Sesko injury aside) have rejuvenated United as an attacking force. Last season, United only managed 44 goals in the league. They have 30 goals already this campaign and we are still two games short of the halfway point.

Mbeumo had a rare off game against Bournemouth, failing to link up deftly with Amad and co. But Brazilian Matheu Cunha led the line magnificently, operating as a kind of ‘false 9’ in the continued absence of Sesko. He was a pure agent of chaos, linking up with Amad and Mbeumo effortlessly. He thoroughly deserved his goal (which he obviously thought was the decider in the moment). It just feels like this United side has reverted to playground-bully mode at Old Trafford, backing themselves to score more goals than their opponents. And United fans, on the whole, appear open to suffering some awful defending to get those moments of unbridled joy.

Rare flexibility

Something else happened in that insane 2nd half that should give United fans reason for optimism (even though it didn’t necessarily pan out for them against the Cherries). Amorim- who has been willing to die on a hill with his 3-4-3 addiction- changed things up in the second half, with Luke Shaw and Diego Dalot reverting back to more traditional fullback roles in a flat back-four. It never worked, as United defend as well as Darren Moore-era Derby (why Lenny Yoro never went across to engage Semenyo for that first goal in beyond me). But it showed that Amorim is growing confident enough to deviate from his system and let the situation dictate proceedings. United fans have grown weary of his pigheaded commitment to a system that doesn’t always get the best out of the personnel at his disposal.

Baleba Fever

This is a side that is absolutely crying out for Carlos Baleba. Yes, some of Monday’s amateurish defending wouldn’t fly even if you had Makelele and Kante playing in the same side. But the 2nd and 4th goals could have been stopped at source by a strong, robust central midfielder. Evanilson and Kroupi’s respective equalizers were hardly the work of Barca-style tika taka intricacy: Bournemouth just sent a ball straight through the middle onto an on-running striker. Simple Sunday league stuff. A wrecking-ball like Baleba has the capacity to stop that goal at source by showing a little bit of positional awareness. Let’s be honest: the midfield duo of Fernandez and Casemiro just isn’t robust enough to deal with the vagaries of Premier League football. Never was, never will be. Ugarte has been a minor disaster. United’s next midfield acquisition must be a destroyer with ability on the ball (as opposed to someone who’s good on the ball and can get stuck in a bit). It’s a subtle distinction.