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There is “serious concern” amongst Manchester United’s executive branch over the manner in which Erik ten Hag “sets up [his] side” following the dismal performance against Liverpool last week, a report by The Guardian reveals.
The Dutch manager saw his team limp to an abject 3-0 loss to the club’s bitter rivals. There was a sense that if Liverpool had wanted to go for the jugular, it could have been closer to the infamous 7-0 demolition at Anfield during Ten Hag’s first season than any attempt at a comeback by United.
Ten Hag will point to improvements in the second half following the withdrawal of Casemiro at the interval, with the Brazilian midfielder almost single-handedly gifting Liverpool a two-nil lead, but United still ‘lost’ the next forty-five minutes 1-0.
The performance was characterised by many of the problems which plagued the team last season. And it’s these persistent issues which are likely giving Old Trafford officials “concern”.
A dysfunctional attack; a defensive line dropping too deep; and a midfield unit overworked and overstretched by gaps far too large for players like Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo to effectively cover. Out of possession United began the match brightly, but mistakes in possession effectively ended the game by the 42nd minute.
The manner in which the Red Devils lost the game last weekend speaks to structural issues in which the team is set up as much as personnel ones.
However, there is “recognition” within the club that Ten Has has been “undermined” by injuries and needs time for the five new signings to be integrated fully.
Leny Yoro was ruled out for three months with a foot injury in just his second appearance for United following his blockbuster transfer from LOSC Lille during pre-season. Joshua Zirkzee has been thrust into the starting eleven quicker than anticipated following Rasmus Hojlund sustaining a hamstring injury in the same match as Yoro suffered his broken metatarsal.
Manuel Ugarte, signed after a protracted pursuit of the PSG midfield across the entire summer, was unable to take part against Liverpool but offers an immediate upgrade on Casemiro in midfield when fully up to speed at his new club.
The final two recruits – Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt – have impressed in their early showings for United but they are likely playing earlier than Ten Hag would have liked or planned. Mazraoui, in particular, is playing at right-back because the continued injury problems of both senior left-backs – Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia – have forced the Dutch manager to switch first-choice Diogo Dalot to the opposite flank.
There is, therefore, a case for why United have not begun the season in a perfect manner. But the style of play the team have demonstrated on the pitch is “viewed as underwhelming” by club officials, the Guardian contends. And, Ten Hag’s “game-model” will have to “start impressing” these executives or “he is in danger of being removed”.
The 54-year-old coach has sought to implement a press-heavy system at Old Trafford which seeks to dominate matches through dominating transitions. He has spoken previously of his desire to see United become the “best transition” team in the world.
Ten Hag will need his players to begin articulating this vision much more effectively on the pitch or it will the club who are ‘transitioning’ away from the Dutchman as manager.
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