14th in the ranking, more defeats (4) than victories (3) and a team which still struggles to enthuse its supporters. We have had coaches fired for less than that but Erik ten Hag is still on the Manchester United bench. Despite a new shareholder, with Ineos, despite still disappointing results, and despite a media and popular revolt.
To his credit, the defeat recorded against West Ham on Sunday on a penalty awarded after consulting the images makes Amine Harit’s red card appear completely deserved, as the contact between Ings and De Ligt at the origin of the disputed decision seemed provoked by the West Ham striker. Obviously, Erik ten Hag complained about it. “In football, the best team doesn’t always win. It was not clear and obvious how VAR worked. What they didn’t do against Spurs, when they should have intervened on Bruno’s red card, they did there, and now they are making the wrong decision by intervening, both have a big impact on the match. I’m not criticizing anyone, I’m criticizing the process. »
Two decisive matches at 0ld Trafford
If we can understand the dismay of the Batavian coach over this contentious decision, we will note that Manchester United wasted their ammunition in the first period, notably with an incredible miss from Diogo Dalot alone in front of the empty goal, who sent the ball to the above the cages. “We always look in the mirror, and I can only criticize the players for not taking advantage of the chances”he explained. But that is not enough to calm the comments about him.
“Erik ten Hag is looking for trouble. He is 14th in the championship after nine games, and nine games is almost 25% of the past season. (…) They are 14th, they spent a fortune. I was quite clear at the end of last season that if they were in the same position in the league after the first few months there would be a lot of questions that would arise.”launched former Red Devil Gary Neville after the meeting. “They have a midweek game but it will all come down to next weekend’s game against Chelsea. (…) I don’t think there can be another defeat next weekend at Old Trafford. We are reaching a point where there is real concern, I am worried. The results, the lack of goals, the lack of performances pile up week after week”.
The next two matches promise to be decisive for Ten Hag, who had already miraculously survived the management meeting held during the last international break. The reception of Leicester on Wednesday then of Chelsea on Sunday will tell if MU is capable of recovering once again. The ax is getting closer for Ten Hag. Especially since according to Fabrizio Romano, discussions within the Mancunian management have already taken place to separate from the Dutch coach!
