Manchester United’s Tactical Struggles: Is Erik Ten Hag Losing Control?
Manchester United’s Tactical Struggles: Is Erik Ten Hag Losing Control?
Manchester United’s season has hit a rough patch, leaving fans and decision-makers questioning Erik Ten Hag’s tactical choices. After a series of poor results, including a stunning defeat to Galatasaray and more tactical misfires in crucial matches, the pressure is mounting on the Dutch manager. Has the team lost its direction under Ten Hag’s leadership, or are the challenges just part of the growing pains? As the team grapples with a historical slump, it’s clear that something needs to change—quickly.
A Promising Start Gone Wrong After a promising start last season, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United seemed to be on an upward trajectory. The team’s tactical discipline and attacking mindset impressed fans and pundits alike. However, this season has been an entirely different story. United’s form has faltered, with costly errors and defensive mishaps leading to unexpected losses. Despite high-profile signings like Andre Onana and Rasmus Højlund, the team seems more disjointed than ever, with a slew of defeats raising questions about Ten Hag’s decision-making(
The Blame Game – Is It Really Ten Hag’s Fault? While the spotlight remains on Ten Hag, there are other factors contributing to United’s lackluster performances. Injuries to key players, such as Lisandro Martinez, have disrupted the defensive line, while Marcus Rashford’s red card against Copenhagen didn’t help the cause
Ten Hag has made bold moves, like fielding Sofyan Amrabat at left-back and trusting in young talents like Hannibal Mejbri. Unfortunately, these tactical choices have often backfired, leaving the squad unbalanced and vulnerable at crucial moments(
Tactical Misfires and the Case of Onana One of the key criticisms facing Ten Hag is his reliance on new signing Andre Onana, a goalkeeper who has struggled to live up to expectations. Onana was brought in as an upgrade to David de Gea, but his performance in pivotal matches, including the Galatasaray defeat, has raised eyebrows. With multiple goals conceded due to poor positioning and decision-making, Onana has become a weak link in United’s defense(
Ten Hag’s decision to stick with Onana, despite his glaring errors, has only added to the frustration among the club’s decision-makers.
Internal Conflicts and Dressing Room Discord Behind the scenes, tensions are reportedly brewing. Jadon Sancho’s ongoing feud with Ten Hag has been a major distraction for the team, creating divisions in the dressing room. Despite Ten Hag’s call for unity and fighting spirit, some insiders believe he’s losing the dressing room. The once-promising project appears to be unraveling, with players like Casemiro and Marcus Rashford having poor seasons
Can Ten Hag Turn It Around? As Manchester United approaches critical fixtures, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Ten Hag can turn things around. The Dutch manager remains defiant, insisting that this is a temporary dip in form. He’s promised that the team will “fight together,” but the clock is ticking. With mounting pressure from both fans and decision-makers, Ten Hag must make swift and decisive tactical changes if he’s to save his job(
Whether he can inspire a resurgence or face the fate of his predecessors remains to be seen.
Manchester United’s current struggles are a stark reminder of the fine margins in football. Erik Ten Hag, hailed as the man to restore the club to its former glory, now faces one of the biggest challenges of his career. The decisions he makes in the coming weeks will define his legacy at Old Trafford. If he’s to keep his job and win back the trust of the board, Ten Hag must find a way to fix the tactical and internal issues plaguing the team—or risk becoming the latest in a line of managers to fall short at United.
