Thread by @utdarena

After the 3-1 win against PSG in 2018–19, Manchester United conceded an average of 1.83 goals per game till the end of the season. This season, they have conceded just 0.60 per game – one of the best defensive records in Europe.

There is a base to build on.

Due to the club's struggles this season it is easy to forget United conceded a mammoth 54 goals in the Premier League last season. With the signings of Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and some work on the training pitch we have become a much better unit defensively.

This is reflected in United's underlying figures which highlight how well they prevent opponents from chances and or quality chances. Yesterday, AZ Alkmaar were the better team all things considered but only registered 0.64 xGoals at 0.053 per shot which is incredibly poor.

This occurred despite Solskjær starting with Rojo and Fred who are known for being rash in tackles and positioning, a declining Matić and two young, inexperienced full backs in Dalot and Williams. It was a solid defensive performance.

Furthermore, United have drastically improved their pressing from last season to this season. This season, they rank as one of the best teams in Europe's top seven leagues in pressing rates whilst last season they were lost in and around the average European team.

Lastly, there is improvement in retaining possession higher up the pitch which improves territorial advantage – a key to dominating games.

Fundamentally, United have had two issues on the pitch:

• a lack of chance creation
• a lack of clinical finishing

However, when I look through the squad I notice an emphatic lack of quality in terms of chance creation as well as finishing.

Can Lingard play better? I have frequently referred to him as an average player and I hold him to that. Can Mata play better? He has regressed naturally. I deem Pereira as merely above average at best. Rashford has struggled at times for a couple of years now.

If one were to look at the squads Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) took over they will notice the massive changes they made. How many original players who were average/above average did they retain?

Hardly any.

There are defensive personnel issues I would like to address but regarding the midfield and attack none of them would be classed as better than “good” except for Pogba and many of them are in the average to above average tier.

They need to be replaced.

Solskjær has put into place a strong, solid base upon which to build but the base alone cannot withstand the storm. He has to build from that base intelligently and wisely. With Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and James he did that but he really cannot get it wrong from now on.

If Solskjær remains as manager by January – he should – United will almost certainly attempt to sign a centre midfielder, attacking midfielder or forward. Likewise, this should be the same in the summer.

However, if no attempt is made at all to rectify the horrendous squad quality United find themselves with then it will truly indicate Solskjær's pleasure with what he has and that is simply not good enough and is, beyond any doubt, a sackable methodology to pursue.

It is going to be a difficult season but I am patient with the project that is currently going. I was not MourinhoOut up until a few weeks into 2018–19 as I saw no return for him. I definitely see positives Solskjær's project here so I will remain patient until further notice.

This is just a mini thread of my thoughts regarding the team's current state.

I am sure you guys will agree and disagree which is fine on both accounts. Let me know your thoughts.

THREAD END.

I have made an error here. I had completely ignored the West Ham game result in the math. It is 8 conceded in 10 games for 0.8 per game as opposed to 0.6. The point remains, of course, but the math is wrong. Trauma.