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Despite being under the cosh for most of the game at Old Trafford on Sunday, it was Manchester United who took the lead in the second half only to allow Liverpool to equalise late on with both teams sharing the spoils.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring through Luis Diaz before Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo produced individual moments of brilliance to mask the terrible display from the team till then.
Erik ten Hag then decided to try and lock the door, a tactic that has seldom worked this campaign, and it failed yet again as Mohamed Salah scored a penalty that was conceded by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The manager’s chaotic style was once again allowed the opposition to control the game with the Merseysiders having 28 shots on goal compared to the Red Devils’ nine and were unlucky to score only twice.
Injury-marred defensive unit
A makeshift back four comprising of 19-year-old academy graduate Willy Kambwala and Harry Maguire was the Dutchman’s only option as both Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane dropped out due to injury.
The pair joined Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines and this has left the manager with hardly any other options at the back moving forward.
Injuries have meant the former Ajax coach had hardly had the luxury of picking his strongest back-four consistently and INEOS are said to be mulling over a defensive overhaul due to the results this season.
United conceded the second most goals during the Champions League group stage this season while also conceding three or more goals 13 times this term.
The French World Cup winner’s current deal ends in June and the club had opted not to trigger the one-year extension option in his deal.
And according to Football Insider, the former Real Madrid superstar’s poor injury record since his move and the huge wages he commands means the new ownership have decided not to offer him a new deal.
There were rumours of a new deal on lowered wages but after behind-the-scene talks, the three-time Champions League winner’s time in Manchester is set to come to an end.
“Man United are set to allow Raphael Varane to leave on a free transfer this summer after new talks behind the scenes, sources have told Football Insider.
Varane to leave OT
“The defender’s impending exit will free up his huge wage in June, with no U-turn on the decision since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS organisation.”
Saudi Arabian clubs are prepared to pay him over the odds to get him to come there and United will free up a huge chunk of the wage bill as a result with the former France international said to be earning £340,000 per week (as per Capology).
All of United’s recent dealings with Real Madrid have not gone according to plan with both Varane and Casemiro arriving far late in their careers than the club and fans would have liked.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was another buy in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era that was questionable. This is why it is refreshing to hear Sir Jim Ratcliffe announce that under INEOS, the approach will be to sign young and not spend exorbitantly on big-name stars on their last legs.
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