Mikael Silvestre claims United need to improve offensively to benefit Højlund

Here at bettingexpert, Devang Prasad sat down with former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre. The pair discussed United, the returning Martinez and Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount coexisting in the same side and whether United should prioritise the FA Cup ahead of finishing in the top four.

In this article:

• United need to improve offensively to benefit Højlund
• Casemiro and Martinez are the spine of Manchester United
• Bruno and Mount can coexist
• Silvestre urges ten hag to prioritise FA Cup glory
• Wolves vs Manchester United Preview
• Safer Gambling

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United need to improve offensively to benefit Højlund

It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United and a rocky season for Rasmus Højlund. The Denmark international, who joined the club from Atalanta last August, netted his eighth goal of the campaign during Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Newport County in the FA Cup’s fourth round. Now, as the season enters its second half, Silvestre is keen for the United squad to find stability and cultivate on-pitch chemistry to support Højlund.

“He has two wingers in Garnacho and Antony that like to cut inside so for him to get service he needs the full backs to overlap to get crosses in the box.”

“The team needs to get used to playing with each other and put each other in the best position to score goals.”

“I expect them in the second half of the season to keep improving as an offensive group.”

Casemiro and Martinez are the spine of Manchester United

For a significant part of the season, Manchester United has been without their two key signings from the previous campaign, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro. Casemiro, aged 31, made his comeback in United’s 4-2 FA Cup triumph over Newport County on Sunday, following an injury hiatus of more than three months. The midfielder had been sidelined with ankle and hamstring issues but has returned for the crucial second half of the season.

In contrast, Lisandro Martinez missed the latter part of last season due to a metatarsal injury. Although he made a comeback this season, the defender suffered a recurrence of the same issue at the end of September. After undergoing another surgery, Martinez is now fit again and aims to bolster a struggling United team. Silvestre believes the return of this duo will significantly rejuvenate the United squad moving forward.

“This has been a big issue since the beginning of the season with major players like Martinez and Casemiro out.”

“They are both key elements and starters for Manchester United. They’re the spine of the team and their leadership is important so it’s good to see them back and they’ll give confidence to the team for the second half of the season.”

Bruno and Mount can coexist

As Mason Mount is poised to make his return, questions are arising about how he and Bruno Fernandes will fit into the same team. Frank Lampard recently commented that both players are vying for the same position in the number ten role. However, Silvestre is of the opinion that they can coexist within the same side.

“It will depend on who United face and whether they need to be more defensive or not.”

“It will be difficult to see them in the same starting eleven if you need to be more defensive because their strength is to attack.”

“But also Mason Mount can play in the wide areas so it’s not impossible to have them in the same 11 but it depends on the game plan and the opposition.”

Silvestre urges ten hag to prioritise FA Cup glory

Can Manchester United realistically still secure a top-four finish? Currently, they appear to be significantly behind the pace set by teams such as Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. Both Villa and Tottenham are on 43 points, with Spurs occupying the fourth spot due to a superior goal difference. United find themselves 11 points adrift of the top four, and Silvestre contends that closing this gap will be a formidable challenge.

“On paper they can but it’s a tough task based on how they played during the first half of the season.”

“I’m sure they will fight until the end to secure Champions League football next season.”

“The FA Cup is clearly a big objective for United. It’s a bigger trophy than the Carabao Cup and it should be the major objective of the season besides securing Champions League football next season.”

“The team selection against Newport shows ten Hag is taking the competition very seriously.”

Wolves vs Manchester United Preview

Manchester United are set to face Wolves in this gameweek, a match that could be seen as a mid-table clash. United are currently three points ahead of Wolves in the league standings, having had a successful first half of the season under Gary O’Neil’s guidance. Silvestre mentions that The Molineux will be a challenging venue for Erik ten Hag’s team to visit.

“Wolves away. Yeah I think it’s a tough place to go. The atmosphere, it’s always difficult to play them at the Molineux.”

“They’ve had a tough start to the season but they have players who can be problematic to United.”

“It’ll be a tougher game than the West Ham one.”

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SAFER GAMBLING

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