Erik ten Hag has questions to answer as United boss
If part of the question is whether he has gone beyond the point of no return, if he can reverse a historic slump, if the lacklustre group who forever seem less motivated than their opponents have given up on him, there is increasing evidence for the case for the prosecution. Ten Hag’s selections have been erratic this season, a host of decisions backfiring. Some players have veered in and out of favour; few combinations within the side have worked. United have been a costly shambles. New signings, whether Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount or Rasmus Hojlund, have rarely had the desired impact. Last season’s three biggest buys – Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony – have all regressed, and alarmingly.
When Casemiro was removed at half-time, the temptation was to think it was because of another poor performance. Ten Hag said the Brazilian was injured, but his midfield remains a mess: far too susceptible on the counter-attack, offering too little control.
Ten Hag has appeared to be outcoached, even when beating Brentford and FC Copenhagen. Eddie Howe conjured a seismic win from youngsters and veterans, the reserves and those returning from injury. One of the more inadvertently damning comments came when the Newcastle manager admitted that his substitutions were premeditated, scheduled to give players a run out instead of a training session. They were brought on to prepare them for Arsenal on Saturday but excelled. A unified group showed commitment; United’s only came in the form of petulance and the hapless Hannibal Mejbri’s mistimed challenges. “I am confident that players will stand up,” Ten Hag said. They haven’t too often of late.
Ten Hag argued that battling qualities will be seen; his own. “I know it is not always going up and we have a lot of setbacks this season so far,” he said. “So I am a fighter.” Carry on like this, however, and sooner or later, he will be fighting to keep his job.
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