Manchester United Match 54-Year Low by Conceding 2 Goals in First 3 League Games
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 8
Manchester United Match 54-Year Low by Conceding 2 Goals in First 3 League Games
3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 8
Summary
Three matches into the Premier League season, Manchester United have allowed two goals in every game—losing 2-0 at Hull, beating Ipswich 5-2 and drawing 2-2 at Everton.
That defensive start is United’s worst such run since 1972-73 and has happened only once before in the Premier League era, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 2020-21 side conceded 11 goals in its first three matches.
Michael Carrick said the problem comes from "little moments" rather than one flaw, citing set-piece issues against Hull and stressing United must concede fewer to avoid overloading their attack.
Last season showed the cost of that imbalance: United scored 69 league goals to Arsenal’s 71 but conceded 50 to Arsenal’s 27, finishing 14 points behind despite comparable firepower.
Can Michael Carrick fix Manchester United's glaring set-piece flaws and midfield gaps before their historically bad defense completely derails the season?
Does Manchester United's ongoing left-back crisis expose a much deeper, systemic failure in the club's long-term transfer strategy?