A 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday epitomised Manchester United's lack of creativity as their run of away wins came to an end.
There is a train of thought that Manchester United would be better off without Paul Pogba.
Move on from an inconsistent performer, cut your losses on your record signing, and perhaps United could benefit without 'the headache' of their World Cup-winning Frenchman.
Yet that theory gained little support on Saturday.
United, shorn of their only dynamic midfielder for a fourth successive Premier League game, reverted to type, displaying a lack of creativity and ideas in going down 1-0 to Bournemouth, whose winner was scored by Manchester United academy graduate Joshua King.
The Cherries had not kept a clean sheet prior to their last home game against Norwich City and yet their defence enjoyed a largely worry-free afternoon in the wind and rain.
Man United's weak engine room
A central-midfield three of Fred, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira might have impressed in the win over Norwich City on Sunday, but the trio epitomised everything that is wrong with this United, producing ponderous, pedestrian play and failing to conjure up anything of note in an attacking sense.
Pereira was the chief culprit. The Brazilian made only 25 passes and completed just 60 per cent of them - the fewest of any outfield United player. The most damning statistic, though, was that he failed to complete one pass to his team's centre forward Anthony Martial.
His performance was not an anomaly. Pereira has scored just once and contributed only two assists in 30 Premier League appearances, while making four big chances and providing one throughball.
Given he turns 24 on New Year's Day, you have to wonder whether Pereira is ever going to be good enough for United.
His infuriating moments on Saturday included failing to beat the first man from a set piece and overhitting what should have been a routine pass to Martial as he approached the Cherries' penalty area.
And when Solskjaer looked to his bench to replace his underperforming midfielder 68 minutes in, his only real option was the woefully out-of-form Jesse Lingard - a man who is yet to have a shot on target, provide an assist or deliver a throughball this season.
Solskjaer had spoken of the "good relationship" Fred and McTominay have in the build up to this game, but neither man is known for their creativity or flair.
Fred at least tried to take the challenge on, creating more chances than anyone else on the pitch on Saturday, but in seven appearances this season he has not scored, provided an assist or a big chance.
The problem is, without Pogba, who can make something happen in that United midfield?
Saturday's showing should serve as a cautionary tale for those wanting Pogba gone.
Kg4991
644
First of all there is nothing wrong with OGS or the players. All are perfectly fit for challenging the titles for United. The real problem is the understanding between the players. That cannot be built just like that. The players in United (except) Pogba, Maguire and Daniel James still don’t understand what each supporting player is intending to do. Pogba is lazy that’s his only problem. Daniel James is really trying to cope with the runs made by Rashford and Martial but they themselves are not sure how to adjust and position themselves. Both of them are overlapping making it difficult for James in attacks. Fred and McTominay has the same issue as one does not cover for the other. Lindelof just go for a run even if there is no full backs to cover for him. Every single one of them are individually great players. But they are not a team yet. The main reason is lack of experienced leadership in the team. A team need atleast an experienced Defender and Midfielder in the team who are proven leaders. Just look at Chelsea Jorginho, Willian and Azpilicueta are natural leaders who helps their youth squad to prosper. United lack that. United shouldn’t have let Rooney and Schweinsteiger leave.
Bendiga
503
I don’t get how ppl keep talking about OLE this and OLE that and OLE out, it’s very much naive and unethical, OLE got every single the players in their strength position, there’s only so much the manager can do when he set his team out to play, it’s back to the same old story, “some of these players aren’t good enough” You can see clearly that this team lack two creative players and a solid no.9, the defense is good enough but again PEREIRA is not good enough playing as the no.10 which is his strength, he’s good today and bad tmm, can’t be a Manchester United player. Our LB & RB negligence to go forward in a overlap is no existent, We need loads of players..
sapabdenu
407
Give us Bruno Fernandes. It has been obvious for so long that what manchester United need is a true #10. We need someone who can make a through pass or Score! from outside of the box and someone who can deliver from set-pieces. The results speak for themselves - the times we have played good this season has been against the ”good” teams which we can damage on the counter: Chelsea, Leicester, arsenal, liverpool and chelsea again. The only good display there has been against a bottom/middle team was against Norwich, the other games have been deprassing to watch. Please give us Bruno fernandes or a similar player. The midfield of pogba, mctominay and Bruno is just awesome. Pogba playing box-to-box, mctominay protecting the back four and far up the pitch.
Kkrexuke
187
It is a bad result no doubt but if you looked at the game objectively, this is my opinion. 1. The intensity, the pressure from the fwds in the last 3 games r not there, this I attribute to the participation of the first team in the Cup game 2 days ago, we looked good in the first 30 mins then ran out of steam in the 2nd half . 2. The current team play fine against attacking team bcos of the space given, but have problem scoring when opponent crowd their penalty box. This you need someone who is able to take advantage of crossing with headers. Obviously the current team sucks at that. We haven't had a headed goal this season. I really miss zlatan here. 3. I would have thought the 3412 was the best formation this game so that we can put in fresh CBs Jones and rojo along mcguire with 2 fullback and rest a striker, I guess the half fit rashford for the 2nd half when the opponent tires. Anyway, we come back stronger in the next few games before the int break in mid Nov. Keep everyone fresh and be rid of injuries, we'll pick up again.