It is Manchester United’s third campaign under Erik ten Hag but it is still hard to pinpoint a clear style of play under the former Ajax coach.
It can be understood that Erik ten Hag has certain principles of playing football, especially with his coaching development in Holland and his stewardship under Pep Guardiola coaching the Bayern Munich reserves.
Many expected the Dutch coach to make a big push to play a similar style at Old Trafford which excited fans at Ajax.
In Ten Hag’s debut season, the Red Devils impressed with a counter-attacking threat with Marcus Rashford the main star of the side.
The 54-year-old coach has previously dismissed the idea that he wants to replicate his Ajax style in England.
The issue with this approach is that supporters and media alike start to wonder what approach he wants to instil in Manchester.
Last campaign, Manchester United suffered a huge injury crisis that hampered the options available to the Red Devils boss.
With reduced options available, it was natural that the style of play would be difficult to see with key players like Lisandro Martinez key to playing out from defence.
What is Erik Ten Hag’s plan at Manchester United this season?
There is no doubt that the Manchester United boss is under increasing pressure to showcase a recognisable style of play.
It is widely understood that Ineos’s priority this season is instilling a possession-based style of play where the Red Devils begin to show they can dominate sides.
The newly elected board are not disregarding results but is desperately keen on Ten Hag improving the identity of his side.
It is a double-edged sword this campaign for the United boss.
He has to play his style of football but it could risk results going against him.
However, in the past few months, the plan that the 54-year-old coach has set out isn’t working with huge gaps in midfield leading to several goals conceded.
Under the Dutch coach, United have shown they can beat any team on their day, but consistency levels have to improve if he is to keep his job.
This season, the manager has opted for split strikers with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount leading the press. The issue with this system is that there was a lack of creativity with Joshua Zirkzee introduced to alter the performance on both occasions.
Against Liverpool, Arne Slot exposed Ten Hag’s tactics with United losing 3-0 at Old Trafford.
In the Liverpool defeat, tactics such as an aggressive double pivot left Casemiro isolated and it highlighted the veteran’s flaws.
Ten Hag has been keen for his full-backs to be high and wide when building up from defence.
However, this led to several dangerous opposing attacks after United were easily dispossessed.
Heading into the coming fixtures, Ten Hag’s side must show a more resilient edge to their game, while maintaining creativity with Amad and Garnacho key youthful stars in the attack.
After a busy summer, the Dutch coach will be given time to embed the new additions, but there has to be an improvement in style and results.
It may seem a big demand to guarantee both, but for any manager in his third season at Manchester United, demands and expectations will be high.
