Manchester United are counting the cost of a defeat away at Tottenham at the end of a brutal week.
The 1-0 loss to Tottenham is the least of Manchester United’s worries right now. Amid serious financial troubles, an injury crisis is rearing it’s head.
Amad is now out for the season, following the Lisandro Martinez news, while long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Mason Mount remain out.
Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer and Manuel Ugarte were all missing too through injury, while Christian Eriksen and Leny Yoro were absent through illness.
Manchester United players struggle
Manchester United lost 1-0 at Tottenham after a first half goal from James Maddison. United huffed and puffed, and lacked quality in the final third.
Speaking to MUTV, former Manchester United academy prospect Ben Thornley reflected on the loss, and praised the effort from the injury-hit squad.
Thornley said: “For United to lose with such a poor goal conceded in the in the first half, it is heartbreaking for them. They gave absolutely everything.
“Yes, there was a lack of quality on show from both sides, it has to be said. But there were really good positives to be taken from the way Manchester United performed.”
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One player Thornley was impressed by was forward Joshua Zirkzee, who was playing in a withdrawn forward role for the first time since his ill-fated start against Newcastle in December.
Thornley did have one complaint, suggesting Zirkzee was a little over-ambitious, perhaps referring to his shot from outside the box that missed the target.
He said: “Joshua Zirkzee, to be fair to him, if anything, he was probably looking a little bit over confident in some points of the game, but he certainly stood up and was counted today.”
United’s biggest chance fell to forward Alejandro Garnacho, who missed the target when one on one in the first half. Thornley felt the Argentine let his head drop too easily after wasting the opportunity.
He explained: “We did create chances, most notably the one in the first half that could have set the ball rolling for Manchester United, from Alejandro Garnacho, and that seemed to affect the way that he played the rest of the game, which is a shame.”
United need to get wins on the board
Manchester United are in a poor position in the Premier League table following the defeat, and cannot afford to suffer too many more losses.
Thornley added: “For United now, every single game that they play is critical. Next week at Everton, which will be difficult, and then Ipswich at home before March.
“It’s a perilous position that they’re in. We don’t think they’re going to go down. We’re pretty sure they’re not going to go down, but they certainly don’t want to be as close as this.”