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If the diagnosis on the opening night against Wolves was that the midfield was malfunctioning, with the introduction of Mason Mount leaving Casemiro exposed, subsequent matches have indicated there are also issues in goal, in the back four and on the wings that have led to opponents scoring.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag was asked in the Allianz Arena if the problem lay in the mentality or injuries. Both, he replied: certainly United had an alternative back four on the treatment table, in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, plus another sidelined left-back, in Tyrell Malacia. Certainly every game he misses accentuates Varane\u2019s importance and his status as United\u2019s best defender; that he is ageing and injury-prone, however, offers scant consolation.<\/p>\n
But as he defended Onana, pointing out the summer signing made several second-half saves in Munich, Ten Hag inadvertently underlined that the damage could have been greater. Bayern hit the post twice. Four goals might have been eight.<\/p>\n
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Manchester United\u2019s Casemiro reacts after defeat to Bayern Munich<\/p>\n
As Ten Hag suggested that United could have done more to halt Sane before he shot, he touched on a recurring theme: United are opened up too easily on the flanks. All three Brighton goals stemmed from the wings, when Ten Hag\u2019s decision to field a side without cover in front of his full-backs backfired. So did Bayern\u2019s first two, with Jamal Musiala embarking on a storming solo run. At left-back, United are discovering that Sergio Reguilon, the emergency signing given a baptism of fire, is more of an attacking full-back. On the right, Diogo Dalot is struggling; Bayern, with their quick wingers, might have been a match to suit Wan-Bissaka, had he been fit. But neither Marcus Rashford nor, when available, Antony is the most diligent at shielding full-backs and low crosses and cutbacks can lead to goals against United.<\/p>\n
So can quick breaks. If, at times, United are chasing games and that is a factor in Arsenal\u2019s third goal and Bayern\u2019s fourth, there is nevertheless the sense that Casemiro can flounder when surrounded by open space and opposition runners. In different ways, Nottingham Forest\u2019s first goal and Arsenal\u2019s second reflected shortcomings from set-pieces \u2013 including United\u2019s own corner.<\/p>\n
Taiwo Awoniyi\u2019s goal was one of several that Onana perhaps could have saved. Declan Rice\u2019s crucial strike for Arsenal was one of two when Ten Hag\u2019s auxiliary centre-back partnership consisted of Maguire and Jonny Evans; a Leicester 2017 reunion consisting of one player low on confidence and another who might have retired. Ludicrously, United were one more injury away from starting Evans in Munich.<\/p>\n
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Manchester United look dejected following defeat in Munich<\/p>\n
And yet he is not the centre-back providing the most cause for concern. Neither is Maguire: the frequent scapegoat has only played 23 minutes this season.<\/p>\n
Victor Lindelof belongs in the bracket of the out of form. Lisandro Martinez is in still worse shape: substituted three times already this season, often threatening to get sent off, his commitment now looks like rashness, last season\u2019s cult hero like this season\u2019s calamity. That Ten Hag has faith in his former Ajax players, whether Martinez or Onana, is not in doubt, but his recruitment strategy now leaves him more open to criticism.<\/p>\n
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In one respect, United may argue that nothing has changed. Last season, defensive problems were restricted to defining away games, to the eight trips to the rest of the Premier League\u2019s top nine, when they were breached 28 times, and the visit to Sevilla, when they let in three. Now the fixture list has thrown up similar tests: Arsenal and Tottenham away, Brighton, who struck twice at Old Trafford last year, and Bayern.<\/p>\n
Now the kind of matches that brought clean sheets last season \u2013 Burnley, Crystal Palace twice, FC Copenhagen \u2013 beckon. But even if a few shutouts would be welcome, they would not be conclusive. Because a question will remain for the tougher games: can Manchester United defend? And, under Ferguson, they usually could.<\/p>\n