Manchester United have taken just one point from their three matches that have followed the Europa League games.
One of the reasons for United’s stuttering start to the season could be down to the way they respond following Europa League games.
So far they have taken just the one point from their three games which have followed a Thursday night in Europe, indicating something of a European hangover. Whether that’s in terms of personnel or simply preparation time it seems to be a factor.
First, there was the 3-1 defeat to Watford, though it was a substantially different starting XI to the side that lost 1-0 to Feyenoord the Thursday before as five players started both games. Yet it had defensive errors – including confusion between the defenders and goalkeeper – that contributed to the side’s defeat.
Their second fixture saw a 1-1 draw with a winless Stoke City side at the bottom of the league, following on from a 1-0 win over Zorya the previous Thursday. Seven of the same players started in the draw against the Potters as the previous Thursday.
United took the lead through Anthony Martial only to concede a soft goal to Joe Allen, with some sloppy goalkeeping from David De Gea in the build-up. It should also be noted that Jose Mourinho labeled it as one of United’s best performances of the season in his post-match interviews.
The past week saw Mourinho’s side thumb Fenerbahce 4-1, with five of the players starting the following fixture against Chelsea as they were dismantled at Stamford Bridge.
A defensive error, similar to one seen at Watford that went unpunished, was capitalized on by Pedro. That was the start of a very poor display full of errors and sees a bit more pressure back on the shoulders of the manager.
If you look at the other Premier League side in the Europa League, Southampton, they have taken five points from their three games against Swansea City, Leicester City, and Manchester City after European competition. They are all of the similar standards, though United are facing sides that have the entire week to prepare for their meeting. Southampton have had faced two sides who also have European competition – though beat the one that hasn’t.
It’s hard to suggest it’s as simple as a European hangover for Mourinho’s side. He has rotated his men relatively well, though there seems to be a common theme of keeping the centre-backs on the side along with Paul Pogba and at least one of the wide players.
In their three remaining fixtures that follow group games in the first half of the season, United are likely to be odds-on to win away to Swansea City and beat West Ham United at home. They will hope to have qualification sewn up for their last game against Zorya to be a dead rubber as they host Tottenham the following Sunday.
Again, these are three sides of varying difficulty, but a poor points haul against these three sides will lead to an obvious conclusion.