Erik ten Hag finds himself under immense pressure after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
The loss has further fueled speculation about his future at the club as United’s poor form continues into the new season.
Despite the mounting pressure and criticism from fans and pundits alike, Ten Hag insists he is not worried about being sacked, stating that the team’s struggles are part of a longer-term project.
This defeat leaves United with only seven points from six Premier League games, their joint-worst start in the modern era.
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The clash between Manchester United and Tottenham started disastrously for the Red Devils. Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson opened the scoring just 155 seconds into the game, capitalizing on poor defensive organization from United.
The early goal set the tone for a match that quickly spiraled out of control for Ten Hag’s side.
Manchester United’s woes deepened when captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card shortly before halftime, leaving them with ten men and little hope of mounting a comeback.
Tottenham took full advantage of the situation, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke adding goals in the second half to complete a dominant 3-0 win for Spurs.
This loss comes on the heels of another embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford, this time at the hands of Liverpool. United’s back-to-back home losses without scoring mark the first time the club has endured such a run since November 2021, during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final days as manager.
With seven points from their opening six matches, this is Manchester United’s joint-lowest points tally at this stage of a Premier League season, matching the struggles seen under David Moyes in 2013/14 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020/21.
The dismal results have led to increased scrutiny of Erik ten Hag’s tactics, team selection, and overall management of the squad.
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Despite the growing pressure, Ten Hag remains defiant, expressing confidence in the long-term project. In his post-match press conference, he said, “We all made the decision to stay together.
We knew it would take time to improve, and we are working hard on that.” The Dutchman signed a new contract before the start of the season, showing the club’s commitment to his leadership, but recent performances have sparked concern.
Manchester United’s defense has been their Achilles’ heel this season, and the match against Tottenham highlighted those issues once again.
Tottenham’s expected goals (xG) figure of 4.59 is the third-highest United have allowed since such statistics began being recorded in 2009.
Only against Arsenal in December 2017 and Manchester City in October 2011 have United allowed their opponents to generate higher-quality chances in a Premier League match.
The early goal conceded against Tottenham mirrors United’s habit of conceding within the first few minutes of matches. Johnson’s goal after just 155 seconds was the fastest goal United have allowed since they conceded within 88 seconds to Nottingham Forest in August 2023.
Additionally, United conceded goals in the opening minutes of both halves against Tottenham, marking only the second time this has happened in the Premier League since they faced Leeds United in February 2023.
As the losses pile up, many are beginning to question whether Erik ten Hag can turn things around at Old Trafford.
While the Dutchman remains confident in his ability to lead the team, comparisons are being drawn to former managers like David Moyes and Solskjaer, whose tenures ended following similar rough patches.
Speaking as a pundit for Sky Sports, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville expressed his shock at the team’s performance, saying, “Today has shocked me, how low they’ve gone. It’s one of the worst performances I have seen under Ten Hag.” Neville’s comments reflect the sentiments of many United fans, who fear that the team is spiraling into another season of underachievement.
Key Factors Behind United’s Struggles
Several key factors are contributing to Manchester United’s poor form this season:
- Injuries and Squad Depth: Manchester United has been hit with injuries to key players, leaving Ten Hag with limited options. The lack of squad depth has been exposed in recent matches, with the team struggling to cope with the absence of crucial figures in both attack and defense.
- Poor Defensive Organization: United’s backline has been disorganized and prone to early mistakes, as evidenced by the goals conceded against both Tottenham and Liverpool. The team’s inability to settle into matches and prevent early goals has left them constantly on the back foot.
- Captain’s Struggles: Bruno Fernandes’ red card in the Tottenham match adds to the captain’s struggles in recent weeks. As the leader on the pitch, his performances and discipline have come under scrutiny, and the team has been left vulnerable when he’s unable to stay composed.
