The 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday has once again put Erik Ten Hag under pressure. After what has been a rollercoaster tenure, he finds himself fighting to hold on to his position as manager of Manchester United yet again. Ten Hag’s reign has been topsy-turvy, often seeming to swing from one extreme to the other. For many, the latest defeat to Liverpool under their new manager Arne Slot, starkly highlighted the contrasts between the two teams. Liverpool with just three Premier League games under Slot already has a clear identity, while United three years into Ten Hag’s leadership, still seems to lack one —with Sir Alex Ferguson watching it all unfold from the stands.
Where Has It Gone Wrong for Ten Hag?
One glaring issue has been the lack of a defined playing style despite a significant investment in new talent. United has spent a staggering £616 million on transfers during Ten Hag’s tenure, bringing in players he previously worked with at Ajax. However, this familiarity has not translated into league success. Players like Antony and André Onana, who thrived under Ten Hag in Amsterdam have struggled to replicate their form in Manchester. The team’s performance has been erratic and the promise of a coherent style of play similar to the one his Ajax side exhibited remains unfulfilled.
Another significant problem has been United’s tendency to concede cheap goals, particularly late in games. Despite heavy spending on defensive reinforcements including Mathijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte the team has started the season with a negative goal difference. This fragility at the back has cost United dearly, with lapses in concentration leading to unnecessary losses and a lack of confidence among the players.
Persisting Issues with Squad Selection
Ten Hag’s reluctance to drop certain underperforming players has also been a point of contention. Marcus Rashford, for example has consistently failed to meet expectations, yet continues to feature prominently in the starting lineup. Many fans and pundits argue that a more dynamic option like Alejandro Garnacho could offer fresh energy and creativity, yet Garnacho remains on the sidelines more often than not. Similarly, Casemiro once a stalwart in midfield, has appeared out of depth at times. This apparent favoritism has led to frustration among fans, who feel that more deserving players are being overlooked.
Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool on Sunday was their third such loss at home in the Premier League within a 12-month span, setting a new club record. This statistic alone underscores the difficulties Ten Hag has faced in stabilizing the team. Despite these struggles, Ten Hag has defended his record, noting that no manager apart from Pep Guardiola has won more trophies than him in recent years. However, success in cup competitions has not been enough to mask the deficiencies in league performance.
A Poor Record Against the Reds
The recent loss to Liverpool marked United’s third such home defeat by three goals in just 12 months—a club record no one wanted to see broken. When examining Ten Hag’s performance against Liverpool, the numbers speak volumes. In eight meetings with the Reds, United has only managed to win twice, with their rivals winning five times and one match ending in a draw. The latest head-to-head matchups include:
- 01.09 Man Utd vs Liverpool 0-3
- 04.08 Man Utd vs Liverpool 0-3
- 07.04 Man Utd vs Liverpool 2-2
- 17.03 Man Utd vs Liverpool 4-3 A.E.T
- 2023 Liverpool vs Man Utd 0-0
- 2023 Liverpool vs Man Utd 7-0
- 2022 Man Utd vs Liverpool 2-1
- 2022 Man Utd vs Liverpool 0-4
Head-to-head results against Liverpool further illustrate the inconsistency under Ten Hag. This failure to secure victories against their rivals has only added to the pressure on Ten Hag, especially given the high expectations that come with managing Manchester United.
The team’s struggles have not been limited to domestic competitions either. Last season, United failed to advance past the group stage of the Champions League, finishing behind Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Bayern Munich. This early exit was a significant blow and raised further questions about Ten Hag’s ability to succeed at the highest level.
Rumors of Ten Hag being sacked in the summer, even after an FA Cup final win against Manchester City underscore the precarious nature of his position. While he has shown glimpses of what he can achieve, there remains a lingering doubt over whether he is the right man to lead United back to the top.
Looking Ahead
The coming months will be critical for Erik Ten Hag. With Manchester United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League after two defeats in their opening three matches, there is no room for complacency. If Ten Hag is to save his job, he must find a way to instill a clear identity in his team, tighten up the defense and make bold decisions regarding his squad selection. The clock is ticking, and as Gary Neville pointed out, the pressure is only going to build from here. If Ten Hag fails to turn things around by Christmas, he may find himself out of a job.
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