Marcus Rashford's Role in Man Utd's Left-Sided Frailty and Salah's Continued Improvement

Understanding the Premier League's Current Dynamics

Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright uses a mixture of data and opinion to spotlight the key stories from the Premier League. This week, we delve into:

• The vulnerabilities in Manchester United's defensive setup
• Mohamed Salah's continued evolution at age 32
• Riccardo Calafiori's unconventional playing style
• A spotlight on Callum Hudson-Odoi's performance

Manchester United's Defensive Frailties

Manchester United's recent match against FC Porto ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, revealing crucial insights into Erik ten Hag's side. Notably, Ten Hag's decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time was attributed to rotation, yet the defensive lapses on the left flank were evident. He admitted, "Over the left side, we definitely didn't defend well tonight," following Porto's opening goal sourced from that zone.

Rashford's failure to track Joao Mario led to Porto's first, and subsequent goals also exploited the left-side weaknesses. With the absence of regular left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, United has struggled defensively, conceding seven out of eight Premier League goals from the left side.

The latest game against Twente showcased this issue further, as their equalizer came from Bart van Rooij effortlessly advancing down the left. Even with Rashford off the pitch for Porto's third goal, the sluggish playing of Alejandro Garnacho demonstrated the continuing challenges. United's next match against Aston Villa might underline this frail defensive characteristic once more.

Mohamed Salah: The Ever-Evolving Maestro

In Liverpool's triumphant Champions League match against Bologna, Mohamed Salah showcased his exceptional skill set, scoring a brilliant goal and assisting Alexis Mac Allister's opener. His continued creativity is remarkable—three chances created against Bologna put Salah at the top of Liverpool's creation efforts.

He has been a beacon of creativity with four assists this season, trailing only Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Given his trend of productivity, he stands to exceed his previous record of 13 assists established during the 2021-22 season.

Despite being 32, Salah's ability to enhance his creativity—creating nearly 80% more big chances compared to before—without compromising his goal-scoring threat, seeing his goals-per-90-minute rate remain steady. This performance feeds into the ongoing discussions about his contract renewal as he approaches the expiration date in May. Losing such a skilled player seems much riskier than investing in his future at Liverpool.

Riccardo Calafiori: The Maverick Full-Back

Arsenal's recent signing, Riccardo Calafiori, has quickly made waves. With a memorable goal against Manchester City and an emotional recovery from injury against Leicester, he's proving to be an exciting addition. Though he carries a certain rawness, Calafiori's versatility is noteworthy; he shifted from left-back to right-back mid-game against Paris Saint-Germain and has shown the ability to navigate different roles seamlessly.

His coach, Mikel Arteta, praised his versatility: "He has the capacity to occupy different spaces really comfortably," reminding fans of Ben White's adaptable nature under Arteta's system. Calafiori's tenacity is clearly apparent—his willingness to engage in tackles has impressed teammates. Balancing the elements of his play while preserving that fiery demeanor will be key for Arteta moving forward, particularly with injury doubts within the squad.

The Player to Watch: Callum Hudson-Odoi

While Chelsea boasts a strong lineup of wingers, Callum Hudson-Odoi stands out, particularly against his former club this Sunday. Now under Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest, Hudson-Odoi has excelled since leaving Chelsea, serving notice that he has a point to prove.

Upcoming Matches to Watch

This weekend is packed with exhilarating matches:

• Everton vs Newcastle - Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 5:30 PM.
• Aston Villa vs Manchester United - Super Sunday, live coverage starting from 1 PM ahead of a 2 PM kick-off.
• Brighton vs Tottenham - 4:30 PM kickoff, rounding off the weekend's action.

Stay tuned for more insights in the next Radar!