Manchester United under Erik ten Hag have always seen mixed results, with lack of will and character. Currently 11th in the Premier League, they sit far away from the top five regarding attacking as their goal-conversion struggle continues.
The critics have been relishing Manchester United’s downfall, as they continue their lackluster performance at the bottom half of the Premier League table. As they always say, numbers don’t lie and in comparison to last season, the Red Devil sit at a better position after the first five games. This has put them in the top five of the attacking stats.
Though the stats show a considerable improvement, the games are never reaching dominant zones, while rather struggling to carry confidence through consistent results. The Dutch manager has not yet come up with a proper game plan since taking over in 2022.
Manchester United’s story so far
This summer transfer window under new ownership, Ten Hag, was provided with a budget of £200 million with Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking charge of football affairs. So far, the pitch has yet to see a game-changer.
In the most recent outing against Crystal Palace, the Red Devils picked up a point taking the tally to seven points in five games. On Wednesday the Europa League campaign began as Old Trafford welcomed Ten Hag’s former side FC Twente, but early dominance did not convert to points against Joseph Oosting’s side.
Ex-Liverpool defender Lawrenson told Sports Casting “I think the treatment of Erik ten Hag over the summer wasn’t great.” Also adding “They were hawking around looking at potential suitors for Ten Hag’s job, I thought at one stage that he’d had enough and might just walk away. Since then, it looks like they’ve kissed and made up.
“I’m still not convinced with United but I do think they’ll be better this season. Will they be good enough to appease their owners, I’m not sure.
“I think if they have another slump, Ten Hag will get sacked. It seems like they’re waiting for that to happen.”
Lawrenson also insisted it’s time for United to think about their defences and not rely on Luke Shaw’s return and focus on either finding new talent from the youth or outside.
“I think United will be looking for a replacement for Luke Shaw given he’s suffered yet another injury. He made the Euros in the end but if you’ve got players like him who are very rarely fit, you can’t rely on them.
“It’s not a case of him not playing anymore, it’s more the fact that Ten Hag will be wanting to play the same team every week. If he can have that, and it’s a good team, then United will be up there at the top of the league.
“You’ve got to feel for Luke Shaw, though, he doesn’t mean to get injured that’s just the way the game is. They’ll likely assess the situation at the start of next year and see what they can and can’t do with him.”
The Final verdict
Ten Hag has mastered the art of surviving storms at Old Trafford, by picking up trophies at the end of the season, thanks to the recent FA Cup win that got him a one-year extension. But this season appears to be rather different as the Dutchman has to prove something much more.
Also Read: Portuguese school reportedly reject Cristiano Ronaldo’s children from enrolment