Manchester United were labelled 'mentality monsters' under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season for their constant ability to come back from losing positions and win, but that couldn't seem further in the past as the players walked off the pitch after a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa that felt like a defeat.
United went 2-0 up thanks to a fantastic brace by Bruno Fernandes, but as the game went on, legs began to tire, and the team quickly began to lose control of the game.
Jacob Ramsey's goal came first, as Aston Villa passed through a midfield that had utterly lost cohesion, and Philippe Coutinho's equaliser came soon after, taking advantage of defensive issues that United have had throughout the season.
United's new formation, deviating from Ralf Rangnick's preferred 4-2-2-2, looked like a 4-3-3 in possession and had Nemanja Matic as the dedicated defensive midfielder. While the team started well having him on the field, as his legs began to tire, he became more of a hindrance than an asset on the field.
But who could you substitute him off for?
United failed to acquire a defensive midfielder in the summer. Throughout the season, the team has tried to solve the absence of a number six with 'McFred' and Matic. But it just isn't working, and it is gross negligence that it may not even be addressed until the summer window.
The team has no balance, and the opposition can take advantage of the massive gaps that United's disjointed pressing leaves both in the midfield and behind the team's high defensive line since David de Gea remains glued to his goal line.
Aston Villa took advantage of this and how the team began to tire. With the lack of options that the team had on the bench, Rangnick was not spoilt for choice with substitutes. They could have been better, with Donny van de Beek only coming on in the last few minutes despite United struggling to keep possession.
Competing for the title is now a distant thought, but if the team does not address their issues in midfield, top four or even at this point, the top six may be questioned.
United have been linked to several defensive midfielders on both ends of the price range. Still, MEN Sport understands that the club are unlikely to make a move for any players unless a top target becomes available, but that isn't good enough at this point.
If United are to salvage anything from this season, they need to sign a midfielder and do it as quickly as possible.
Which defensive midfielder would you sign for Manchester United? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
