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Manchester United’s poor start to the new Premier League campaign has left Erik ten Hag under huge pressure at Old Trafford.
After last season’s record-low eighth place league finish, the Dutchman knew he needed to start the campaign well.
However, three points from the first three games has left United behind the chasing pack and the team’s style of play has been facing huge question marks once more.
Former United coach Rui Faria is one of those left wondering what the plan is at United, with the team looking far too easy to play against in the opening games.
Journalist Duncan Castes posted a quote from Faria on his X feed, with the Portuguese coach criticizing United’s lack of identity on the pitch.
Former Manchester United assistant manager Rui Faria on his Instagram account. https://t.co/CXVkDmyJSV pic.twitter.com/oibUbfPPQa
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) September 9, 2024
“What does stick to the plan mean? Analysing Manchester United’s matches, it’s hard to identify a plan, because I believe a plan means a team has a strategy for the match,” he said.
Faria made his name working closely with Jose Mourinho with the pair winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League during their time together at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old continued to pull apart Ten Hag’s side by saying he can see no plan or strategy when watching United games.
“A team’s strategy is built on its playing identity, and there is no such identity to be found in those matches.
“Without an identity there is no plan or strategy – just a ‘let’s see what happens in the match!,” he added.
Faria is currently without a job after leaving his post as manager of Qatar side Al-Duhail in 2020 – where he spent just one year in charge.
Ten Hag’s back-to-back trophy wins in Manchester has provided him with some breathing space but he will be well aware of the dramatic need for improvements in the coming weeks.
United are back in action at the weekend as they travel to the South Coast to face newly-promoted Southampton in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
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