It is safe to say that the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford at the hands of Aston Villa was disappointing for Manchester United in more ways than one. This was a chance for them to get ahead in the Premier League title race with both Chelsea and Liverpool dropping points this weekend, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were not able to capitalise.
Also, it was their second defeat on the trot and three in the last four games. It is safe to say that there are multiple areas that this team needs to improve in if they are to challenge for the Premier League title this season. And in many ways, it does feel like they might have taken a step back from the previous campaign despite the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton in the summer.
There is still a lot of time to gel together and improve over the course of the season but it must be said that there is some pressure on this Manchester United team to deliver silverware this time around after four trophyless seasons.
One man who knows what it takes to win trophies more than most is Ronaldo. And he sent a message to his Manchester United teammates on Instagram after the defeat at the hands of Aston Villa:
Ronaldo has sent a message to his Manchester United teammates
Ronaldo has been brilliant in front of goal ever since returning to Old Trafford this summer and this was the first game that he could not find the back of the net in for the club this season.
Of course, there was an opportunity to do so at the very end of the game when Manchester United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. But it was Bruno Fernandes who ended up taking, and missing it.
What is done is done though and the focus must now be on bouncing back from these disappointing results and get the momentum back as soon as possible.