It’s another dire week for a Manchester United fan covering the club as a journalist.
The dour mood hasn’t lifted all season, the Reds have lost 4-0 against Crystal Palace and Monday night at Selhurst Park felt like the end for Erik ten Hag.
As a staunch supporter of the Dutchman, I am not naïve to think he isn’t at fault for some of the glaring issues we’ve had on the pitch this season.
Injuries don’t help and I still believe Ten Hag deserves the benefit of the doubt ahead of a third season in charge.
That said, part of me believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be as patient as the INEOS-led reshuffle takes place. A quick fix doesn’t exist but they must flinch at seeing our standards drop even further.
Like Watford 4-1 Manchester United did for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Like Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United did for Jose Mourinho. Like that four-game losing streak in December 2015 did for Louis van Gaal. And like Everton 2-0 Manchester United did for David Moyes.
History is repeating itself. All we need know if for Ten Hag to get the sack after winning the FA Cup, a repeat of what happened Van Gaal in 2015.
It was unacceptable to watch Ten Hag’s players surrender at Selhurst Park. Only 12 senior outfield players travelled, which gives a taste of what Ten Hag is coming up against every week.
There was a lot of warranted outrage online after the Palace defeat. But some was extreme in the grand scheme of things. We’ve got a depleted squad and were without club captain Bruno Fernandes, hence why I feel some were guilty of exaggerating the loss. Especially when we’ve come to expect those results from this team.
The players cannot escape criticism. They should’ve been embarrassed to receive an incredible ovation from United’s travelling support on Monday night. They must know their levels this season are unacceptable at a club like this. When will they wake up to that because it feels like we return to this position every 18 months. That is why I have been calling for a stop to the rinse and repeat malarkey we are seeing with the managerial situation time and time again. There’s been no sense of stability behind the manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag’s biggest worry for his future is if the reaction to Palace’s win was a bit much, it will get worse if we fail to win any of our remaining three league matches – against Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton. These players were ripped apart by Palace.
Jonny Evans wasn’t fully fit and has earned respect for stepping in as United’s only available centre-back on short notice. The Northern Ireland veteran had only returned to training last week after a three-week lay-off.
Many have made their mind up over Ten Hag. I’m still giving him time.
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This is by far the worst United side I have seen since the dispirited crew that got relegated in ‘74. But then we had a charismatic new Manager in The Doc and, with a few shrewd signings came roaring back. Big difference right there. Not much in the way of shrewd signings lately, and it’s difficult to imagine ETH getting the dressing-room rocking prior to kick-off. We need someone who breathes fire, enthusiasm, and gets players ready to run through brick walls for the Club.
Everything you have said David is 100% right .I too was around When we last got relegated and yes Tommy Docherty breathed new life and Style back into United . I can never see ETH doing that . He has had his day
Half the away crew: Tommy Docherty’s Red and White Army.
Other half ( immediately, only louder): Tommy Docherty’s Red and White Army.
First half ( louder still)…
But you get the picture. Great days. Good to know travelling support still as loud, loyal, fervent, barmy.
I think you need to try and understand why are we having so many injuries. I don’t think it’s unlucky . I think it’s bad coaching , bad training , bad physio .
Saying that the players we do have on the pitch , which apart from the few are very young . They need leadership . And the few older need to set an example. When ten hag got the job , all I wanted was for us to go back to an attacking side which we were very successful under Sir Alex . And show some discipline. But ten hag refuses to admit that there is a lot of problems . It’s always let’s go again . He frustrates me when he’s being interviewed, same old script. I myself was always wanting pochettino because of how he plays the wing backs like Sir Alex . He transformed spurs in that way . I would get rid of ten hag now . And I know you think I could be crazy in this solution. But put Roy keane as interim now . At least he will kick these prima Donna’s backsides , and get us fighting again.
I understand your pov with injuries. What I don’t understand is why no-one is questioning Ten Hag’s practices in relation to this. He is responsible for player welfare. In sport part of the leaders job is to keep his staff healthy. What is he doing between matches that is stressing his players to this unprecedented level of injury? It’s not just what happens in 90mins on match day. I hope you can appreciate this question that no-one is asking!
And let’s not forget in their semi-final against Tottenham, Ajax blew a 2 goal lead. Sound familiar?
We haven’t had a reliable, in-depth squad all season. Injuries & lacklustre performances have compounded that.
We should stick with ETH, no other top manager would come to Old Trafford now, (except for the money) knowing that there’s not much money to spend on revitalising the squad.
First out: Steve McLaren (why he’s there I’ve no idea).
Off load: Rashford, Varane, Casemiro, Dalot, Lindelof, Martial, Wan Bisaka, Evans, Eriksen & Martinez.
One more chance for: Antony, Onana, Mount etc.
And start bringing academy through quicker.
Sure we’re not going to win anything/much for a couple of years, but at least be more selective about who we’re paying & stop being sentimental about keeping ‘has-been’ players.
Get rid of Dalot & Martinez??? And keep Antony??!!?
OK then. 😯
One more chance? Rashford.
“journalist” ah hahahaha
A quick fix is no fix. This perfect storm of injuries, uncertainty and overhaul is a transition towards a better run club (although Erik’s comments about creating the best ‘transition team’ seem even more ironic, now that I think about it).
INEOS will manage the situation and I’ve every confidence in them and their track record. But it will take time.