Manchester United anemic under ten Hag: When will the Dutchman fly?

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Red Devils fans still have some grudges over last Saturday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City. That was just Peps City, what should you do? The next blow follows a few days later – this time against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Take a closer look at this 0:3. The accusation against coach Erik ten Hag (53): No energy, no intensity in the duels and especially high balls from the back instead of well-maintained build-up play.

The Dutchman is also criticized for his team management. In the case of Mason Greenwood (suspected rape and bodily harm), he spoke out in favor of the player’s return, but cold-bloodedly banned Jadon Sancho from the team when he defended himself after not being called up.

Problem area in midfield

His transfers? No direct hits so far. On the right flank, Brazilian Antony usually dribbles at opponents or sidelines in his private life (he was also caught with domestic violence). Antony came over from Ajax Amsterdam and cost 95 million euros.

United’s biggest problem: midfield. As a six, Casemiro is no longer in the form of last season and the high, long balls are not associated with much more than the hope of getting second balls somehow. Captain Bruno Fernandes is not a rock in times of crisis; the Portuguese often puts his energy into arguments with the referees. United’s midfield is currently barely able to contain or even stop the opponent’s attacks.

There are the club’s usual slogans of perseverance (“We stand behind Erik”), although you’re not sure who’s pulling the strings at Manchester United now. The sale of shares from the owners (the Glazer siblings) to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group (owners of Lausanne-Sport) has not yet taken place; the entrepreneur mainly wants to use his 25 percent interest in the sport. Take control of the club. Ratcliffe would have a lot of patience with ten Hag.

Graham Potter? Zinedine Zidane?

Who should also take over? Graham Potter? They just suffered a total loss at Chelsea. Zinedine Zidane? He is seen as a man for the players, but United probably need more tactical and strategic help.

An 8th place in the Premier League is about the best ten Hag can show. Five of the ten games were won, albeit against Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Burnley, Sheffield United and Brentford and without any shine. Since club icon Alex Ferguson handed over the baton to his successors (David Moyes, José Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and now Erik ten Hag) in 2013, there has been a lack of stability at a high level and the splendor of times gone by.

Onana has to throw balls forward again

Ten Hag complained last week that he and his players could not perform as they did with Ajax Amsterdam on their way to the semi-finals of the Champions League. In this way he justifies the philosophy of long balls, which his goalkeeper Onana (transferred from Inter) also has to hit into the opponent’s zone. Onana traveled home after a group match at the World Cup in December 2022 because Cameroon coach Rigobert Song forced him to play long balls forward.

Until the next international break, United must take six points if possible against the Cottagers in Fulham (Saturday) and against Luton Town (a week later) and also deliver something measurable in the Champions League away to Copenhagen if the coaching discussion is held. to be taken off the table. Until then, the Dutchman wants to try to forge the players into a team in individual conversations. Perhaps he could have resorted to this well-known remedy a little earlier.

Source : Blick