Marcus Rashford is just part of Man Utd’s left-sided problem, Mohamed Salah still improving for Liverpool – The Radar | Football News

Welcome to The radara Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a mix of data and opinion to highlight key stories from across the Premier League. This week:

🚨 Man Utd’s vulnerability that needs to be fixed
📈 At 32, Salah is still doing better
❓ Calafiori is not your average full-back
🔍A player who has something to prove

Man Utd’s weakness on the left

Erik ten Hag insisted the decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time of Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Porto, despite him scoring a goal and assisting another, was down to rotation. But he also acknowledged the defensive problems on his flank.

“We definitely didn’t defend well on the left tonight,” he said. Rashford was involved as he was unable to track down Joao Mario before Porto’s first goal. Their second ball came from a similar spot and the problem persisted with their third ball, which also came from United’s left side.

It has been a problem all season, exacerbated by the continued absence of specialist left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Twente’s equalizer in United’s opening Europa League game came from right-back Bart van Rooij, who stormed down the left flank with alarming ease. Seven of the eight goals United conceded in the Premier League came from either crosses or shots from the left-back position.

Rashford’s feeble attempt to stop Twente’s Van Rooij was another example of his role in the problem, but it is a collective problem.

He was not on the pitch for Porto’s third half. When Tottenham scored their second goal at Old Trafford on Sunday, scored by Dejan Kulusevski after another breakthrough down United’s left, Alejandro Garnacho, not Rashford, was operating as a winger on that side.

Garnacho doesn’t even come into the picture when he watches the second leg unfold, so sluggish was his return. Surprisingly, the same applies to makeshift left-back Diogo Dalot, who was even further forward. Aston Villa will look to become the last team to exploit the vulnerability when they host United Great Sunday.

Sunday, October 6th, 1:00 p.m

Kick-off is at 2:00 p.m

Salah’s growing creativity

Mohamed Salah showed his entire repertoire in Liverpool’s Champions League win against Bologna on Wednesday. His goal was brilliantly executed as he shot inside and found the far corner. This also applies to the precise cross that set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal.

There were also moments of frustration. But the assist was one of three chances Salah created, the most of any Liverpool player. Having scored a total of eight goals against Wolves and Bournemouth, it was his third consecutive start as top scorer.

His tally of four assists in the Premier League this season is second only to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Continue with a similar rate of productivity and Salah will significantly surpass his previous high of 13 assists in the 2021/22 season.

This increased emphasis on creativity has been evident since last season and shows that the Egypt international continues to have the ability to improve even at the age of 32.

Of course, Salah has always been a creative force. But its level has risen significantly in the last 14 months. He creates around 30 percent more chances than before, and many of them are of better quality. Surprisingly, Salah creates almost 80 percent more big chances.

What’s most impressive is that he’s managed to inject this level of creativity into his game without significantly reducing his own goal threat. His average of 0.65 goals per 90 minutes over the last two seasons is almost identical to his previous rate of 0.68.

Everything was clear against Bologna; a goal, an assist and further proof that a player seems to get better with age.

Liverpool may be fearing a downturn as they consider their future. He will turn 33 shortly after his current contract expires in May. But right now, letting him go seems far riskier than striking a new deal.

Calafiori’s idiosyncratic style

Riccardo Calafiori has achieved a lot in his first two months at Arsenal. A stunning goal against Manchester City. A narrowly averted red card against Leicester. A tearful reaction to an injury scare in the same game. “He was a bit emotional,” smiled Mikel Arteta.

The 22-year-old, a £42million signing from Bologna, wears his heart on his sleeve and plays like his life depends on it. He can seem overzealous at times. There are certainly rough edges that need to be smoothed out. But it is already clear that he has a lot to offer.

It was an enjoyable experience watching his final performance from the press box at the Emirates Stadium. Calafiori started the game at left-back and finished it at right-back after Jurrien Timber withdrew at half-time. But he was pretty much everywhere in between.

Calafiori, a natural centre-back, acted effectively as a central midfielder during Arsenal’s first-half build-up. At one point he appeared at number 10 and had a chance for Bukayo Saka.

“He has the ability to occupy different spaces really comfortably. That’s why we signed him,” Arteta said, his comments reminiscent of the words of Ben White, another centre-back turned full-back, during an interview at Arsenal’s training ground last season.

“Playing the way he wants to play as a full-back is, I think, completely different to any other manager,” White said Sky Sports about adapting to the role under Arteta. “To play full-back for him you have to be a midfielder, a centre-back, a winger, a number 10.”

To his credit, White was able to adapt accordingly and become a key player for the Spaniard in the process. “It was about developing my whole game,” he added.

But the marauding Calafiori takes it to another level. “He’s really brave,” Arteta added in his press conference on Tuesday evening. “He doesn’t care, he wants the ball in every situation, he wants to make a difference with it and he likes to play in different roles.”

That bravery is evident both on and off the ball. “He goes for tackles,” said a grinning David Raya Sky Sports when he was asked in August about his first impressions of the Italian international. “He makes it easy. He would stick his head in a washing machine.”

The challenge for Arteta is to refine his rawness without losing the outsider spirit that defines him, a process that is likely to continue against Southampton on Saturday with Arsenal doubts over an injury to the full-back. Recent evidence suggests it will be fun to watch.

Player Radar: Who else should you keep an eye on?

Chelsea have a cohort of wingers to choose from, but those from Nottingham Forest Callum Hudson Odoi could have something to prove against his boyhood club on Sunday. The 23-year-old, who was released by Chelsea last year, was excellent under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?

Everton host Newcastle in the Football on Saturday eveninglive on Sky Sports Premier League And Main event for kick-off at 5:30 p.m.

Man Utd Head closed Aston Villa To Great Sunday We need a positive result to ease the pressure on Erik ten Hag. Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ahead of kick-off at 2:00 p.m. See the later game Brighton host TottenhamStarts at 4:30 p.m.

Read last week’s Radar

Dominic Solanke scored his third goal in as many games after examining his positive start at Tottenham in his column last week. Youri Tielemans’ The growing importance of Aston Villa was also covered Omari Hutchinsons Off the ball work for Ipswich.