One of the reasons why the team's passing is dreadful is the huge gaps between each player. They play kamikaze football with poor positioning on a regular basis. The central midfielders at the club are utter cowards and often hide behind the opposition. This essentially piles pressure on the center backs to thread eye of a needle passes at a frequent rate.
The general off the ball movement of the team is lackadaisical and zombie like. The stand and watch rather than dragging the opposition around in order to make space for team mates. When you do not provide options or make space then the player on the ball is more prone to give it away
The players in the United team are far too emotional too. Fernandes is one of those. He simply cannot get his emotion in check and that bleeds into the entire team. As soon as things go turpsy-turvy, he starts running around like a lunatic, leaving gaps everywhere. I think against Crystal Palace, he gave the ball 3 times in the space of one minute. The players are simply not fit enough or sharp enough during inter play. Their first touch is also clearly a problem. Some of them lack fundamentals in terms of holding off pressure, keeping the ball, weight of pass etc. Garnacho is a prime example - what exactly is his development plan? He looks as weak as he did 2 seasons ago. That has a huge impact on him holding off players and laying it off. His first touch is also hit and miss.
Mainoo? He seems unable to keep up with the intensity of a central midfielder. The amount of time he gets on the ball is far too low. He needs to improve on the amount of passes hs makes, making himself available and the range of passing too. How about Mason Mount? Runs around and can't stay fit. When he does, barely completes enough passes. Ugarte, again, is clearly not that player. Casemiro is capable but inconsistent.
They huff and puff but lack the refinement of a top side. It may take another gutting of certain players to raise technical floor. The balance is simply inadequate. The whole team seems to lack of balance in terms of when to take risk with ball and when to recycle and keep possession. They want to play high octane direct football but lack the dynamism to get back when opposition teams counter them.
The forwards are also not up to scratch. Serious question has to be asked about players like Hojlund. Two seasons now and he still cannot trap a ball consistently. His movement is poor too hence why he is always behind play. Zhirkzee can but his ball control and passing lack a punch. He never makes sufficient high intensity runs to stretch the opposition hence why the midfielders lack the option to find raking passes behind. Let's be honest, they couldn't pull it off even if they tried
In general, let's be frank. Some of the collection of central midfielders and players are simply not good enough at the highest level. They cannot deliver on the expectations of Manchester United. Perhaps better coaching will help, better organisation and better passing drills but the question remains, are they good enough?
Manchester United needs to have the best in almost every position otherwise the club will drown. Every Thomas who turns up against United sees the game as a cup final. Do these players have the mentality to scrap and win when things aren't going well? The answer, based on evidence so far, is no.