Category: Football, Sports

Erik ten Hag Manchester United Struggles: Are Results Good Enough?

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United: Is Progress Stalling?

Manchester United entered the new season with high hopes following their FA Cup final win and strong support for manager Erik ten Hag. With new signings reinforcing the squad, optimism was abundant. However, just seven games into the campaign, the familiar frustration has resurfaced as Old Trafford begins to see below-par results.

While fans aren’t entirely disillusioned, the Europa League draw against Dutch side Twente drew some boos from the stands. What was particularly worrying was the post-match analysis by Christian Eriksen and Ten Hag himself, both admitting that Twente “wanted it more” during the 1-1 draw. Eriksen’s candid remarks highlighted the disappointing performance, stating, “It was far from good enough. They looked like they wanted it more – that can’t be right.” He further admitted, “We didn’t lose, but it feels like a loss.”

Ten Hag has had a bumpy start this season. Including the penalty shootout defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield, Manchester United have won just three of their first eight games. This performance is worse than either of Ten Hag’s first two seasons. Despite signs of defensive improvement, United have drawn twice and lost three games.

A Need for Consistency

So, is there progress under Erik ten Hag? One of United’s three wins this season came against League One side Barnsley in the EFL Cup, a match where United managed to score seven goals. However, this was one of the few games where they displayed genuine attacking firepower. In the Premier League, United have struggled to find the net more than once in most games. Alejandro Garnacho, who was introduced as a substitute against Twente, is their top scorer this season with four goals, two of which came against Barnsley.

Ten Hag is known to focus on expected goals (xG) as a measure of his team’s performance. Unfortunately, United have underperformed their xG in five of their seven competitive games, with a goal conversion rate of just seven percent. All of the team’s major attacking players have failed to meet their expected goals, reflecting their struggles in front of goal.

In contrast, Twente capitalized on their opportunities, leaving Ten Hag to acknowledge that the Dutch side “fought for every yard,” while his own players didn’t go the extra mile. He admitted, “Ninety-nine percent is not enough. It’s not only the team that needs to look in the mirror, I am part of it.”

Mounting Pressure for Results

Despite their slow start, United still have time to turn things around. The new eight-game first-stage format of the Europa League means that even a 24th-place finish could still see United qualify for a playoff in February. However, as former United player Owen Hargreaves noted, external criticism will only intensify if results don’t improve soon.

“Despite having 19 shots, it didn’t feel like it was good enough,” said Hargreaves. “Man United have always had match-winners, players who step up when needed. They should be creating more and scoring more.”

Bruno Fernandes and new signing Joshua Zirkzee came closest to securing victory for United against Twente, but the team’s inability to close out games is a recurring theme. The presence of Sir Alex Ferguson on the pitch before the game served as a reminder of the club’s glory days, but United under Ten Hag have yet to regain the winning mentality of those successful years.

Hargreaves, part of the 2008 Champions League-winning side, believes United need to act quickly. “At a club like this, you need to win. The upcoming fixtures are incredibly difficult, and the team needs to rise to the occasion.”

Time for Ten Hag to Deliver

With difficult matches ahead, Erik ten Hag and his squad face a crucial period. If they are to compete for silverware and a strong Premier League finish, the team must address their goal-scoring issues and show greater consistency. United fans are growing impatient, and the club must now deliver on the early-season optimism that surrounded Old Trafford.