After a summer in which there was optimism that the team were back on the right track, Manchester United fans were served a timely reminder of just how much work still has to be done during yesterday's loss to Brighton.
It was a brutal performance from United, getting completely outplayed by the visitors at Old Trafford. While there had been some promising signs in pre-season, this showing should not have come as a surprise. After all, only two members of the starting XI in the game were not in the squad last season, the club's worst of the Premier League era.
Manchester United's approach in the transfer market has let them down once again. They have spent much of the summer chasing a couple of high priced players, now turning to rather underwhelming backup options as we quickly approach the end of window.
In fact, Erik ten Hag is now left to rely on players who clearly are not the long-term solution in their respective positions.
Graeme Souness compares Anthony Martial to Paul Pogba
Anthony Martial is the prime example.
He left the club to join Sevilla on loan in January and it was expected that his underwhelming time at Old Trafford had come to a close. However, he failed to impress in Spain and the deal was not made permanent.
It was assumed that another move would be sought this summer, but the club's failure to recruit another option in the market means that United are likely to rely heavily on the Frenchman this season.
With Cristiano Ronaldo still seeking a move away from the club, Martial is the only other natural striker available to ten Hag. He was ruled out of yesterday's game due to injury, with Christian Eriksen started out of position up front.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Graeme Souness said that fact that Manchester United were now depending on Anthony Martial was a damning indictment of the club. He also compared him to former teammate Paul Pogba in his approach to the game.
In United’s case, they’ve not really recruited any game changers. When you are talking about ‘we are going to miss Martial’, how many opportunities is that young man going to get to be a Manchester United player?
He’s proven already to me he’s not for Man United. He can’t deal with the pressure of playing at Man United.
Man United are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are in a cup final every time they go out and play a game of football.
As Liverpool are, as Chelsea are as Man City are now. Welcome to the big league...
It’s a bit like Pogba. I see both of them and I see players in them and qualities that few players possess.
But it’s on their terms and they pick and choose when they use it.
When you play for a big club you cannot be like that. When you are at a big club you play in a cup final every week.
These players are not up for that, they’re not up for the fight. There’s no good being a great player in training or being a great player once every six or seven games.
You’re at a big club because you want to win things and want to be challenging all the time. In basic terms, they are dodgy.
They are not people you can rely on… end of.
I don’t think you can rely on Martial any more, not that you ever could. He’s been far too hit or miss.
Paul Pogba left Manchester United on a free transfer earlier this summer, the second time he had moved away from Old Trafford on a bosman during his career.
Martial is likely to play a sizeable role under Erik ten Had this season, despite the fact that he was deemed to be surplus to requirements earlier this year. That in itself tells you all you need to know about the current state of the club.
SEE ALSO: Paul Scholes Has Had Enough Of Fred & McTominay In The Man United Midfield
