Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has come under increasing scrutiny from fans as he appears to be contradicting himself on a number of issues. While ten Hag initially said he saw “improvement” in United’s performances, many feel they are still a bad side. He has also been accused of contradicting himself in his handling of goalkeeper David de Gea’s future at the club.
After publicly shaming Jadon Sancho by excluding him from the Arsenal game, some fans question if ten Hag is losing control of the dressing room. His decision making has also been called into question, with ten Hag himself admitting United made “the wrong decisions” in their 3-0 loss to Manchester City . Unless ten Hag can start to show more consistency in his messages and tactics, he risks further losing the trust and support of fans.
The Expectations and Challenges
When Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United, he brought with him a reputation for implementing an attractive and attacking style of football during his successful tenure at Ajax. United fans were hopeful that he would bring a breath of fresh air to Old Trafford and return the club to its glory days. However, ten Hag quickly realized that he would have to adapt his approach to suit the players at his disposal and the demands of English football.
In his early interviews, ten Hag spoke of his intention to play a proactive, brave, and adventurous style of football that “belongs to the culture of Manchester United.” However, he soon acknowledged the need for a more pragmatic approach, given the different players he had at his disposal compared to his time at Ajax. The collection of players available often determines the style of play, and United’s squad required a different approach than the possession-based football he employed at Ajax.
Evolution of United’s Playing Style Under Ten Hag
Ten Hag’s initial vision for United was to build a team that excelled in transition play. He identified the pace and ability of players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes as key assets to exploit spaces in behind the opposition defense. The signings of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, and Andre Onana were meant to enhance United’s ability to play on the counterattack, capitalize on quick transitions and improve how they controlled games similar to Ten Hag’s Ajax team.
However, injuries, low confidence, and an ever-changing starting lineup have hampered United’s progress this season. The team has struggled to find consistency and has often looked disjointed on the pitch. Ten Hag has had to make tactical adjustments, resulting in a more direct and pragmatic style of play. This shift has seen United rely heavily on long balls and bypass large sections of midfield, deviating from the possession-oriented approach he favored at Ajax.
Challenges and Criticisms Of Ten Hag’s Manchester United
While Erik ten Hag has faced numerous challenges in his tenure at Manchester United, he has also come under scrutiny for some of his decisions and the team’s underwhelming performances. The lack of a recognizable playing style has been a recurring criticism, with pundits and fans questioning the coherence and effectiveness of United’s approach.
One particular source of frustration has been the inconsistent utilization of players like Mason Mount. Mount was touted as a key signing for his versatility and technical ability, but he has struggled to make an impact in his early days at Old Trafford. Some have questioned ten Hag’s decision-making, wondering why he prioritized signing Mount yet has not consistently featured him in the starting lineup.
Additionally, the defensive issues plaguing United have raised concerns about ten Hag’s ability to effectively organize and solidify the backline. The team has been hit with injuries, particularly in the full-back positions, leaving the defense vulnerable and exposing the lack of depth in certain areas. The decision to play right-footed midfielder Sofyan Amrabat at left-back has been a subject of criticism, as it has highlighted the need for more suitable defensive reinforcements.
The last point to make around Ten Hag and the fans being critical is that despite now being in the position for a year now, he still is yet to crack the culture and mentality issue at United, his away record is a hot topic as United have crumbled against the big 6 away from home.
The Tipping Point?
As Manchester United’s struggles continue, the pressure on Erik ten Hag is mounting. The team’s poor start to the season, coupled with the lack of a clear playing style, has led to growing discontent among fans. While there have been no immediate calls for his dismissal, there is a sense that the situation could reach a tipping point if results do not improve.
After the 3-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester City in the derby, fans were left furious after Ten Hag claimed they had played well, the fans were later left even more irritated as Ten Hag made claims that he did not have the players to play his style of play at Ajax and that he is adapting his tactics to match a team that has severely let down the fans over the last 10 years.
This is a huge contradiction from Ten Hag as he has spent in excess of 300 million pounds bringing in players that would apparently suit his style, including 3 former players who he managed at Ajax in Onana, Martinez and Antony. For him to now say that he does not have the players he wanted and go back on his word when he first started about bringing a new style of play to Manchester United has shown the contradictions in his words.
Contradictions With Player Management
Ten Hag has also now come under more pressure due to his inability to drop underperforming Manchester United players, Marcus Rashford has had an horrific season along with underperformance from stars such as Fernandes and Mctominay. Despite this, he has refused to make changes and kept upcoming stars such as Garnacho on the bench. This yet again is a contradiction of how he has handled the Sancho drama as he claimed the effort was lacking which is why he was dropped yet allows stars such as Rashford to demonstrate horrible body language and poorly contribute to the team.
Moving forward, the Glazer ownership, in conjunction with prospective investor Jim Ratcliffe, will have to evaluate whether ten Hag’s tenure aligns with their long-term vision for the club. Previous managers at United have faced similar scrutiny and ultimately paid the price for failing to meet expectations. It remains to be seen whether ten Hag will be given the time and resources to turn the tide and bring Manchester United back to their former glory or if he continues down this path of denial leading to his sacking.
Conclusion
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United has presented him with a multitude of challenges and adjustments. The transition from his successful tenure at Ajax to the demands of English football has required him to adapt his playing style and approach. While criticisms about the lack of a clear playing style and questionable decisions are valid, it is important to acknowledge the constraints and difficulties he has faced due to poor ownership yet also hold him accountable for poor management of things within his control.
As the season progresses, ten Hag will need to address the team’s inconsistencies and find a balance between the attacking prowess he showcased at Ajax and the pragmatism required in the Premier League. Only time will tell if he can successfully implement his vision and win over the Manchester United fans who are growing increasingly skeptical.
