Category: Football, Sports

Erik ten Hag’s Future at Manchester United: Critical Review

Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, finds himself under immense pressure, hoping to prove his worth for a long-term position at Old Trafford. The recent games against Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League were seen as crucial tests for his future. Despite failing to secure victories in both matches, United managed a battling 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, which at least prevented further losses.

United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, along with Sir Dave Brailsford and other members of the new executive group, including Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox, attended the match. Even Sir Alex Ferguson was present to observe the proceedings.

Defensive Improvement Against Aston Villa?

Ten Hag decided to turn to veteran defenders Jonny Evans (36) and Harry Maguire to reinforce United’s shaky defense, sidelining Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, who were initially expected to be the backbone of United’s future defense. The result? A clean sheet at Villa Park—a rare occasion for United under Ten Hag’s management.

The defense, which has often seemed vulnerable regardless of the lineup, finally showed signs of improvement. However, Ten Hag’s decision to rely on Evans, who rejoined the club on an emergency basis, highlights the persistent issues in organizing a solid backline. The recent £45m signing from Bayern Munich, De Ligt, replaced the injured Maguire, but the lack of consistent defensive cohesion continues to be a significant challenge.

Former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison praised Evans’ performance, emphasizing his ability to read the game well despite his age. For United to move forward, Ten Hag will need to make more decisions that yield similar positive results.

A Lack of Goals: A Growing Concern

While defensive woes have undoubtedly contributed to United’s poor standing in the Premier League, the attack has been equally concerning. United have only scored five goals in their opening seven league games—worse than all but Southampton and Crystal Palace, who have also struggled.

The inability to score was evident at Villa Park, with the expected goals (xG) total between the two sides being just 1.05, the lowest in the Premier League this season. Rasmus Hojlund’s return did little to improve United’s attacking threat, and he was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee after an hour. Zirkzee, Antony, and Hojlund have all failed to deliver a consistent goal-scoring performance, raising questions about United’s offensive capabilities.

Under Ten Hag, United’s goals-per-game ratio is at 1.45, the worst of any permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson. This lack of attacking potency is in stark contrast to the club’s rich tradition of expansive, attacking football, something that fans expect and demand.

Poor Form and Tough Fixtures Ahead

The draw at Villa Park may have been acceptable in the context of United’s current struggles, but it does little to disguise the fact that the team is underperforming. With only two league wins this season, they are off to their worst start since 1989-90, leaving Ten Hag’s future in doubt.

United’s recruitment strategy under Ten Hag has also come under scrutiny, as over £300 million worth of signings sat on the bench. Despite showing some fight and organization at Villa Park compared to their dismal showing against Tottenham, the team is yet to establish a clear identity under Ten Hag’s management.

Looking ahead, Manchester United will face Brentford, West Ham, Leicester City, and a Europa League match against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce. If Ten Hag is to stay in charge, the need for positive results is more urgent than ever.

Is the International Break an Opportunity for Change?

The upcoming international break presents an opportunity for Manchester United to evaluate their current situation. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe emphasizing the need for the management team to make sensible decisions, Ten Hag will be hoping the recent improvements in performance are enough to save his job.

The lack of significant progress has fueled speculation about Ten Hag’s future, and discussions regarding his replacement are likely to continue if results do not improve. Potential candidates include England manager Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, and even current Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, who is highly regarded for his work at United.

However, Ten Hag remains hopeful that the progress made in recent games will be enough to stave off talks of managerial change. With tough fixtures ahead, the Dutchman must deliver if he hopes to have a future at Old Trafford.