Man United have lost to every team in the top nine on their travels

How Manchester United could only dream of replicating their away form of two seasons ago. They went a full campaign without losing on the road and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

However, the same can't be said for this season. The Red Devils suffered their seventh Premier League loss a fortnight ago and their sixth defeat away from home when they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle at St James' Park.

United have now lost to every team in the top nine they've faced on their travels. Some of those results were particularly painful - including a humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool in March.

Erik ten Hag is adamant that the location of their fixtures plays no role in their results. In October 2022, the Manchester United manager said: 'For me, it's never an issue, away or home, because the pitch is even.

'It's 11 against 11, there's a ref, so it's all the same. Also, away, we always have a lot of support from our fans, so we are really happy with that. So, we feel strong, and we are looking forward to playing.'

However, United's form away from home can't be ignored. They are guilty of conceding late goals, their manager claims they are 'unprofessional' when times get tough and they are lost without Casemiro in the midfield.

They will nonetheless be expected to beat struggling Nottingham Forest on their travels on Sunday afternoon and shore up their top four position after both Newcastle and Tottenham lost on Saturday.

So, with the above in mind, Sportsmail have taken a look as some of the issues in the Manchester United squad and identified the areas in which Ten Hag needs to address to improve their away form and turn his side into title contenders.

Guilty of conceding late goals...

Manchester United have a habit of conceding late goals. Just take their game against Crystal Palace on January 18 for example. United were winning 1-0 but allowed Michael Olise to score an injury-time equaliser.

United experienced the same fate just three days later when they faced Arsenal. The Red Devils were drawing 2-2 with the Premier League leaders before allowing Mikel Arteta's men to break through.

It was Eddie Nketiah who scored the match-winning goal in the 90th minute of the game.

As a result, Nketiah became the second Arsenal player to score a 90th-minute winner against Manchester United in the Premier League. The other was Thierry Henry in January 2007.

United were also beating Barcelona 2-1 in their Europa League fixture on February 16. However, the game ended 2-2 after the Red Devils conceded in the 76th minute.

Firepower is drying up

Manchester United are struggling to put the ball in the back of the net. The Red Devils had failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games for a seventh time, and for the first time since February 2020, when they lost at Newcastle.

Thankfully the scoring touch was rediscovered in their subsequent home wins over Brentford and Everton.

United's drought has seen them score fewer goals than Liverpool, Tottenham, Brighton and Brentford. They have also conceded more goals than Chelsea - who are sitting significantly lower than them in the Premier League table.

As a result, United's goal difference stands at +7 after 29 league games.

United don't stick together when times get tough...

United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool is a clear example of how Ten Hag's squad fractures when times get tough. The Manchester United boss said his players were guilty of 'losing their heads' and acting in an 'unprofessional' manner.

Ten Hag spoke to Sky Sports after the match and said: 'I saw 11 individuals losing their heads. That is not Manchester United, we have higher standards.'

He went on to add: 'I don't have an explanation. In the first half we were quite in control. Second-half at the start we gave two goals away. There was no team anymore. We didn't stick to the plan. There were 11 individuals.

'I don't know, it's really bad. I have given my opinion (to the players). It was unprofessional. You always have to stick together as a team. We didn't do that. There was no discipline. You have can setbacks but you have to stick together and do your job.

'We made the wrong decisions. That for me is unprofessional. I'm really disappointed and angry. We let our fans down. As a squad, as a team, you cannot allow this. You have to stick together and support each other and fight for each other. You have to defend. We didn't do that and for me that is really unprofessional.

'We have made a lot of progress but you see what happens when you don't keep standards. What I have said in the dressing room is that this is unacceptable. But also it is only one game. We will bounce back. This team is strong enough and we will reset and bounce back.'

United need Casemiro...

Fans questioned the signing of Casemiro in August 2022. Many felt the 31-year-old was too old to sign on a four-year deal worth £60million. But, how wrong they were.

The former Real Madrid defender has become one of the most important players in the United squad and the Red Devils have struggled to win games without him.

Manchester United have lost four of their 10 Premier League games without Casemiro this season, compared to three of 19 when he has played.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that United lost to Newcastle without the 31-year-old midfielder - who has just served a four-match domestic ban after his red card against Southampton.

Be more proactive like when playing at home

Manchester United have had more possession away from home this season, but they have recorded 60 more shots while playing at Old Trafford.

United have also won more corners and completed more successful dribbles at home despite having more of the ball while on the road.

United are also occupying more dangerous areas while playing at home - having 380 touches in the box while playing at Old Trafford this season compared to 312 away from home.

The Red Devils are also more accurate in their passing while playing at home.