Anne Wong
Erik ten Hag is staying put, at least for now. Despite Manchester United’s recent shaky performances, the club has decided to hold onto their manager for the upcoming fixtures against Porto and Aston Villa.
With the team sitting 12th in the Premier League, these matches could be pivotal. The decision to retain Ten Hag suggests the club’s leadership believes in his long-term vision, even in the face of mounting pressure and a lackluster start to the season.
A Rocky Season So Far
Manchester United has had a rough start to the season, currently ranked 12th in the Premier League. The team’s performance has been underwhelming, to say the least, with only three wins in nine matches across all competitions.
The squad’s stats are a far cry from their glory days. United has accumulated just seven points in six Premier League games, their joint-worst start since the inception of the league. The team has also been struggling to find the back of the net, scoring fewer goals than any top-tier team should.
Internal Support for Ten Hag
Despite the poor performance, Ten Hag isn’t worried about his job. “I’m not thinking about losing my job,” he said after a crushing 3-0 loss to Tottenham, highlighting that he and the club’s management are still “on the same page.”
In the summer, Ten Hag signed a new contract and received full backing from club chief executive Omar Berrada. This shows that, at least officially, the club believes in his long-term strategy.
Manchester United’s Defensive Woes
The defensive stats are alarming. Manchester United has conceded more goals by losing margins of three or more since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure than during his nearly 30-year tenure.
Fans are concerned. Last season’s leaky defense seems to have carried over, even though United kept clean sheets in half of their league matches so far and showcased a 7-0 triumph against Barnsley in the EFL Cup.
However, the team’s goal-scoring ability remains lackluster. United has scored just five league goals, leading to a worrying -3 goal difference. No player has managed more than one league goal this term, which only adds to their troubles on the pitch.
The Board’s Perspective
The club’s new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who’s in charge of football operations, believes the problems go deeper than just the manager. “In the last 11 years, Manchester United have had a lot of coaches and nobody has been very successful in that environment,” he said, stressing the need for an environment change.
Therefore, rather than just making a manager switch, Ratcliffe and the board are focusing on changing the environment to better support both the manager and the squad. This was reflected when Ten Hag, who was also under review, was eventually handed a new deal until 2026.
Upcoming Crucial Fixtures
Ten Hag’s leadership will be tested in the upcoming week. United is set to face Porto in the Europa League, followed by a challenging Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Both games are crucial as they come right before the October international break. These fixtures provide an opportunity for a turnaround or could further deepen the crisis at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag and his new backroom staff, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, will need to synchronize their efforts to improve both defense and offense. A positive result from these fixtures could buy Ten Hag some much-needed time and support.
Insight from the Fans
The atmosphere among fans is tense. Many are eager for a change, feeling the team has hit rock bottom. Their frustration stems from seeing their club, once at the pinnacle of English football, now struggling against mid-table teams.
Meanwhile, the leadership aims to stay calm, projecting a sense of stability. The focus is on long-term gains rather than immediate reactions to poor performances.
As BBC Sport’s Simon Stone puts it, “This is the point at which actions speak louder than words.” The club’s actions over the next week could set the tone for the rest of the season.
‘No Knee-Jerk Reactions’
The club’s leadership is keen to avoid any knee-jerk reactions. While the press and fans might clamor for immediate changes, the board believes in a more measured approach.
As highlighted, leadership starts from the top. For United, maintaining calm amidst chaos could be the key to navigating this challenging period.
Ultimately, the next few matches will be crucial in determining Ten Hag’s immediate future and the team’s trajectory this season.
The next week is critical for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag. With crucial matches against Porto and Aston Villa, the club’s decision to back the manager will be put to the test.
Whether this support will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Old Trafford.
Source: Bbc
