Erik Ten Hag Needs Results To Prove Manchester United’s Improvement?
by Graham Ruthven · ForbesManchester United has won just three of its opening seven fixtures in all competitions this season. One of those victories came against lower league opposition in the Carabao with United’s only two league wins coming against newly promoted Southampton and Fulham on the opening day of the new campaign.
Despite this, many maintain Manchester United is making improvements. Erik ten Hag has made this point several times when questioned over his team’s underwhelming results. At some point, though, the Dutchman will need to demonstrate this improvement by delivering better results. United must climb the Premier League table.
While Manchester United has suffered damaging defeats to Brighton and Liverpool this season, ten Hag’s team looks more comfortable on the ball than was previously the case. This is likely down to the new additions made over the summer with Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui all strong in possession.
Even after this summer business, United still lacks a rhythm building midfielder in the centre of the pitch. This explains why Christian Eriksen is being used in that role, but the Dane is experiencing trouble adapting, demonstrated by the mistake he made in the disappointing draw against FC Twente in the Europa League.
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Nonetheless, Manchester United’s possession sequences have been sharper this season with attackers Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho all performing well. Clearly, some work has been done by ten Hag and his coaching staff on the training pitch. This is starting to shine through.
Defensively, though, United remains vulnerable. Liverpool exposed this by scoring three times in a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Old Trafford as did FC Twente by running straight through the middle of Manchester United’s midfield and backline to find the back of the net. Ten Hag’s team is still too easy to play against.
Ten Hag had to fight for his job over the summer. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS assessed the Dutchman’s suitability for the position and spoke to other candidates interested in taking over at Old Trafford, but ultimately decided to give ten Hag more time to remould Manchester United in his own image.
Some remoulding has taken place, but perhaps not enough to suggest ten Hag is holding up his end of the bargain. Manchester United has delivered the players ten Hag wanted in the transfer market, yet the Old Trafford outfit remain some way off the level of rivals like Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Results must follow better performances soon.