Manchester United has experienced a tumultuous decade, marked by a series of setbacks and disappointments. The club’s struggles can be encapsulated by the statement that “a lot has gone wrong at Manchester United.” However, delving deeper into the current season reveals a unique set of challenges and a fair share of blame to be distributed. Erik ten Hag, the manager, is not exempt from criticism, as his tactical decisions and squad selections have contributed to the team’s 10th-place position in the Premier League with a negative goal difference.
The environment at Manchester United is far from conducive to success, and it’s evident that incompetence at the higher echelons of the club has a cascading effect throughout the organization. Despite the efforts of those in between, the prevailing disarray has severely impacted the team’s performance, draining optimism from the club.
Managerial Challenges Amidst Chaos
Erik ten Hag, while deserving his portion of blame, has faced an array of challenges in the early weeks of the current campaign. These challenges include new signings arriving with injuries, off-field issues, a crippling injury crisis that has decimated the defense, and ongoing uncertainty due to a protracted injury crisis. These factors have cast a shadow over the club, making it difficult for the manager to implement his vision.
While Ten Hag is not without mistakes, Manchester United’s dismal start to the season is hardly surprising given the chaos that engulfs the club. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential takeover could help alleviate some of the issues stemming from the Glazers’ ownership, and on the pitch, Ten Hag may finally catch a break.
Struggles in Scoring
Last season, Manchester United faced a glaring issue – a shortage of goals. Only Aston Villa and Fulham scored fewer goals among the top 10 Premier League teams. Even with Marcus Rashford in exceptional form, the team struggled to find the back of the net. This season, the situation has worsened. United has scored just nine goals, with only four teams scoring fewer, all of which are in the bottom half of the table.
The underperformance of Rashford and the team as a whole can be partially attributed to Ten Hag’s inability to start his first-choice attacking trio this season. Injuries and unavailability have hindered the team’s ability to field its strongest attack. Rasmus Hojlund arrived with a back problem, and Antony was unavailable due to leave of absence. With Antony’s return to full fitness after the international break and Hojlund finding his footing at Old Trafford, Ten Hag finally has the opportunity to start his best attacking trio.
The upcoming match against Sheffield United presents a critical moment for Manchester United. Starting the first-choice attack together in a must-win game is a significant boost. The sooner this trio can consistently play together and develop relationships and understandings, the better the prospects for increasing the team’s goal tally. If improvement does not materialize, Ten Hag will find it increasingly difficult to justify his team’s decline.
