Already deep into the 25/26 Premier League season, and the pattern is already starting to feel familiar. It’s kind of funny too. Wolves. Leeds. Burnley. Different opponents, different game plans yet the same lingering frustration. Points feel close enough to touch, but somehow always just out of reach.
This was meant to be the stretch where we prove something. Instead, it’s become a stretch where you look back and are left speechless.
Wolves (1-1)
Against Wolves, United set up with the intention of control. Possession was steady, build-up patient, the back line rarely under serious pressure in open play. Everything felt comfortable. We were playing at Old Trafford, we had already beat them 1-4 away, things were looking good. Zirkzee opened the scoring in the 27th minute, finessed the keeper through a Krejci deflection, and it did open up the game a little more for the Reds.
Unfortunately, all rights have wrongs and what goes around comes around.
Just before the half time whistle, due to an unsuccessful corner clearance by Zirkzee, Krejci managed to find the equalizer through a header.
Hopes were up just as the clock tipped over to 90, Dorgu stepping up and placing a header at the back of the net. Unluckily enough, he was ruled offside. We knew it was over.
A team that we knew we HAD to beat, a team that had an 11-match losing streak, and we put it to an end.
Leeds (1-1)
Leeds was a completely different. The entire first half was a drought, for us and for them. The entire team struggled to find an opening in the backline.
Come second half, the hosts find their opening. Brenden Aaronson netting the lead might have been what the Reds needed, as in the 65th minute, we struck back. A great combination between Zirkzee and Cunha allowed our no. 10 to equalize.
Late efforts from Sesko and Cunha, both ruled as offsides again. Thanks to our keeper, at least we didn’t lose.
I have nothing more to say about this game, I even struggled with writing this much. The team was so bland and out of character that I consciously have erased my memory of this game. Pure disappointment. I don’t even want to put a picture here, and it’s my blog so I won’t.
Burnley (2-2)
At this point, I DON’T UNDERSTAND. Burnley was supposed to be the reset. Instead, it exposed the same unresolved issues.
Amorim was sacked, so what was the issue now? The boys had so much to prove, and at some point it did seem like they were proving it. Fairly enough, this is Manchester United. It’s never over until it’s over.
We kicked things off with a Heaven OG. Great. Not only did it put Burnley ahead, but their spirits flew up.
What came as a good surprise, though, was Sesko at the start of the second half. That man switched. He was everywhere, he was fighting, he was aware of his surroundings. I actually liked his style of play. Managing to score a BRACE in just under 10 minutes brought us the plot twist we needed. Now, we were in high spirits, we were controlling the game, we felt good.
Of course, as I have mentioned before, this is Manchester United. Don’t ever get your hopes up. Jaiden Anthony finds the opening in the closing minutes of the game, and the match ends level. Another draw.
