6 losses in 11 games! Manchester United's two major shortcomings have been highlighted, the winter window rumours continue, and Ten Hag is aware of the problem

With two goals in stoppage time, United avoided a three-game losing streak at home and also gave Ten Hag breathing room. Next, United will enter the national team break with a record of 4 wins and 6 defeats in 11 games. Those 14 days were a luxury for Ten Hag and quite valuable. He can use this time to reflect on the team's problems and think about solutions.

Looking back at the 11 games since the start of Manchester United's season, in fact, two major shortcomings have been highlighted. First, the defense is weak; Second, there are not many ways to face the "iron barrel array".

The first of these points caught Manchester United off guard and confused. Because the Teng Reds had the most clean sheets in Europe's top five leagues last season, keeping 26 clean sheets and 16 in the Premier League. Last season, many games were not smooth on the offensive end, but they were still able to win games with strong defense. But this season, once the attack is weak, it will eat back and eventually collapse.

There must be more than one reason for a sudden crash. There are four main points: First, the injury of the main player in the defense. Manchester United lost Luke Shaw at the beginning of the season, and then Reguilon, Lima and Varane, so Ten Hag could only put together a patchwork of defence; second, the decline in the form of the midfield barrier Casemiro; Third, the high pressing in the front court is useless; Fourth, Onana's saving ability is not as good as De Gea, as long as the shot is on target, it is basically a loss of the ball, and it also has the nickname of "shooting on target".

So how to improve? Judging from the current rumours about the winter window, Ten Hag has realized that his decision to bring in a new centre-back is also a more direct and effective way.

As you can see from the summer window's desire to clean up Maguire, Ten Hag has long wanted to shuffle the centre-back position. The current targets of the scandal include Antonio Silva, Tapsoba and Inacio, as well as Todibo, who passed through the summer window.

Another issue Ten Hag was equally aware of, and Ten Hag's plan was to increase the creativity of the midfield, which was equally correct. Because the trident of Rashford, Heyelund and Anthony will definitely not move, Rashford is the team's youth flag, and Heyelund and Anthony are both blockbuster signings signed by Ten Hagri, so they can only start from midfield.

Breaking the "iron barrel formation" must require a midfield commander who can face the pressing and holding the ball in front, like Manchester City's De Bruyne and Arsenal's Odegaard, and B fee is not this type. The strength of "Big B" lies in passing, not control, which is why the number of lost balls in the face of "Iron Barrel Formation" B Fei has skyrocketed. Mount is also not a type of possession, his strengths are in strategy and passing. The characteristics of B Fei and Mount can only be maximized in counterattacks, and their power will be greatly reduced in positional battles.

So does Ten Hag have a goal? Dutch midfielder Xavi Simmons has recently been linked with Manchester United, which is a good target. The Barça academy veteran has excellent skills, can pass and control and shoot, and has scored three goals and four assists in seven games for RB Leipzig this season, attracting the attention of many giants. From the perspective of Ten Hag's selection style, 20 years old and still a Dutch player, Harvey Simmons is Ten Hag's "dish".

But whether it is a central defender or a midfielder, it is unlikely that he will join Manchester United in the winter window. On the one hand, these players are worth a lot; On the other hand, these players are the absolute workhorses of their respective teams and are unlikely to be released in the winter window. Therefore, Ten Hag can only hope for the return of the injured and reverse the current decline through tactical adjustments.