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Manchester United’s First Three Games: A Rollercoaster Start to the 2024-2025 Season

It’s been a mixed bag for Manchester United in the opening three games of the season, with moments of promise overshadowed by frustrating errors. The team kicked off with a scrappy win, followed by a bitter defeat, and then a hammering at the hands of their fiercest rivals. What’s gone wrong, and can they still dream of competing for the Premier League title? Let’s dive into the drama!

Game 1: Manchester United 1-0 Fulham

 

The Red Devils started their campaign at Old Trafford with a nervy 1-0 win over Fulham. You’d think a win would settle the nerves, but this one felt more like a lucky escape than a statement of intent. New boy Joshua Zirkzee came off the bench and netted the late winner in the 87th minute, but the game itself wasn’t much to shout about. United’s attack was sluggish, the midfield lacked creativity, and Fulham even looked more dangerous at times. Yes, three points are three points, but fans expected more flair from a team eyeing the top.

 

​Game 2: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United

 

This game was a wake-up call—if the Fulham match wasn’t already. Brighton handed United their first loss of the season with a 2-1 scoreline at the Amex Stadium. Former Red Devil Danny Welbeck popped up to score against his old club, and while Amad Diallo did equalize for United, things fell apart late on. A defensive mix-up allowed João Pedro to snatch the winner for Brighton, and once again, United were left licking their wounds. Two games in, and already the defensive frailties and lack of midfield control were glaringly obvious.

 

Game 3: Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool

 

When it rains, it pours. The third game saw United battered 3-0 by Liverpool at Old Trafford, and this one stung. Despite a promising start, United crumbled under the relentless pressure from their rivals. Two goals from Luis Díaz and a third from Mohamed Salah sealed the deal. To add salt to the wounds, United didn’t just lose—they were outclassed. Defensive lapses, poor marking, and a misfiring attack meant they never really stood a chance. For a club with title ambitions, this was a harsh reality check​.

 

What Needs to Change—Fast

 

  1. Fix the Midfield Mess: The midfield has been out of sync. Casemiro looks off the pace, and Mason Mount is still trying to find his rhythm in red. United need a strong anchor to regain control in the middle of the park. If they keep losing the ball so easily, more defeats are on the horizon.

 

  1. Plug the Defensive Gaps: The defense has been leaky. It’s all well and good having players like Lisandro Martínez, but if they aren’t marking properly, it’s pointless. Both goals against Brighton and Liverpool came from poor marking and untracked runners. Ten Hag must tighten things up at the back​.

 

  1. Inject Some Attacking Urgency: The attack has been too passive. United dominated possession in all three games but haven’t been able to convert that into goals. Marcus Rashford is off the boil, and the link-up play between the forward line hasn’t clicked yet. Ten Hag needs to get his front men firing on all cylinders​.

 

Can They Still Fight for the Title?

 

After this start, United’s title chances are looking shaky—but it’s not all doom and gloom. The season is long, and with the right tweaks, they could still turn things around. However, if the issues in defense and midfield aren’t addressed soon, it could be another season of “what ifs” for the Red Devils.

 

Here’s what’s in their favor:

  • Depth in the Squad: With players like Zirkzee and Mount still settling in, there’s room for improvement. If Ten Hag can get the best out of his squad, there’s hope yet​.
  • Resilience: Despite the losses, United showed resilience in patches. They need to harness that fighting spirit and stay focused for a full 90 minutes.

 

But the clock is ticking. If United don’t fix their errors quickly, their rivals—City, Liverpool, and Arsenal—could run away with the league. At this point, they’ll need a significant turnaround to be considered serious contenders.

Verdict: It’s not over yet, but if United want to be in the title conversation come May, they’ll need to raise their game—fast.

 

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