Manchester United have not allowed fewer than 133 shots in a game since their FA Cup third round victory over Wigan Athletic in 2024. The last time they allowed less than 20 shots on goal was during their 1-0 away win against Nottingham Forest five weeks and six fixtures ago. In the last five games, United have faced a remarkable 134 shots with only 11 resulting in goals. The reasons for this defensive vulnerability are multiple. The backline has been constantly changing due to injuries this season, causing a headache for the team. Both Raphael Varane and substitute Jonny Evans got injured during the match against Chelsea, leaving only two fully fit center-backs. Bruno Fernandes acknowledges that Manchester United were caught off guard by something they were aware could happen in the game against Chelsea. I observed Erik ten Hag’s actions at the end of the Manchester United vs Chelsea match, and it spoke volumes. Luke Shaw has been absent for more matches than he has participated in this season, and Tyrell Malacia has been unavailable throughout the entire season because of a serious knee injury. In the meantime, Casemiro, who is also dealing with an injury concern, has been performing poorly this season and 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has been left to defend on his own too frequently. This does not excuse Erik ten Hag from his responsibilities. The Dutchman was labeled as a practical thinker when he first arrived, a trait he has displayed off the field more than on it. However, there are concerns as Ten Hag has mentioned he is not overly concerned about the amount of shots his team is conceding to the opposition. After the game on Thursday, he refuted any claims that his team has a defensive problem, calling it absurd. He pointed out that they were ranked fourth in goals conceded, emphasizing the strong defensive capabilities of the team as a whole, including the goalkeeper.
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