Conversations around Erik Ten Hag’s future as Man United manager have resurfaced after a demoralising 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham. United were totally outclassed, outplayed, and dominated, with Ange’s side holding 61% possession and United conceding twenty-four (24) shots and a whopping 4.67xG.
The scoreline could have been more embarrassing for United, as Spurs could have had more goals if Timo Werner had been more profilic in front of goal, including some brilliant saves from Onana.
The general sentiment amongst both fans and pundits settles around the idea of Erik Ten Hag being out of his tactical depth to lead Manchester United back to the summit of elite European football.
We’ll explore some of the talking points occasionally discussed to prove United’s decision to stick to Ten Hag might be the wrong one.
Lack of Practical Identity
The major criticism surrounding Ten Hag’s Manchester United career has been the lack of clarity into United’s tactical setup, style, and identity after two seasons in charge. It’s difficult to define what type of team United are both in possession and out of possession.
Most of United’s memorable performances under Ten Hag come through playing a low possession counter-attacking style of football, not too dissimilar with previous managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solsjaker, with the United crowd yet to enjoy the advertised “Ajax style of total football.”
Ten Hag’s defence has been the need for time to implement his ideas, injury crises, and technical deficiencies. For context, his managerial counterpart Ange Postecoglou, who has only been in charge of Tottenham for over a year, has radically changed Spurs’ tactical identity from Conte’s aggressively defensive football into a high-pressing and expansive possession-based football with about £315 million spent on thirteen (13) permanent transfers. In contrast to Ten Hag, who has spent about £600 million on fifteen (15) permanent signings yet has failed to implement a tactical style with over two years in charge of the Manchester side.
Poor Recruitment
Poor recruitment has also been another point of discontentment amongst the United faithful, with reasonable amounts of funds spent questionably, such as the incredulous signing of past-peak Casemiro for £70 million and unproven attacking talent Antony for £85 million, who has 17 goal contributions across 84 games in all competitions.
Eyes were also rolling when United splashed £54 million for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, who has been restricted by injuries to 25 appearances across all competitions, registering one goal and one assist.
Manuel Ugarte for £51 million was another questionable transfer given United’s well-documented problems in midfield during the first and second phases of buildup, with the Uruguayan being a classic destroyer defensive midfielder rather than the facilitator United desperately needs.
We can deduce that United’s poor success in the transfer window is largely down to a lack of clarity in the playing style of the club that trickles down to poor decision-making processes and squad building.
Priority should have been given to a sensible rebuilding of United’s midfield with resources channelled towards midfielders who could comfortably progress play with their back to goal.
Bad player management and profiling
Beyond poor recruitment and mismanagement of funds, Ten Hag has also been guilty of poor player management with public spats with influential players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Anthony Martial and contract handling of long-time fan favourite David De Gea.
Fan opinions remain split after such embarrassing episodes for the club, but it is without doubt that questions will be asked when United go through a poor run of form.
Jadon Sancho, who has shone at Chelsea after a loan move during the summer, could be excused for his lacklustre performances under Ten Hag after the English winger was asked to play a more counter-attacking style, which didn’t suit most of his strengths. Club captain Bruno Fernandes, whose career has seemingly regressed under Ten Hag, is clearly struggling. The only bright spot for Ten Hag’s player management would be academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, who has been a beacon of hope in Ten Hag’s disastrous spell in charge of United.
The United post Ferguson struggle has clearly accelerated under Ten Hag, with the Dutch manager struggling to restore the Manchester club to the upper echelons of English football.
Indicators from underlying numbers also show that United have not made progress since the appointment of the former Ajax manager, with last season’s defensive struggles still lingering into the new season. Tough away fixtures to FC Porto & Aston Villa could be the final straw that breaks the camels back with talks of a possible dismissal incoming.
