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Nine questions that Erik ten Hag should be asked at press conferences - opinion

Red Billy — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:09:03 +0000

At his pre-match press conference before yesterday’s defeat to Arsenal, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked his opinion on people asking for him to be sacked, and replied:

“Either they don’t have any knowledge of football or they don’t have any knowledge about managing a football team.”

Ten Hag also said “maybe we over-performed” last season and has consistently blamed United’s poor showing in the league and Champions League on all the injuries sustained this season.

What seems odd about recent press conferences is the questions that are not being asked, although the club’s decision to ban three major outlets from asking anything could be an indication that stiff challenges are not allowed.

So we will ask the questions that no-one is asking Ten Hag. Perhaps whoever is reading this who knows Erik could pass them on. After all, we want to understand football like he does.

Question 1. Is it just bad luck that United have sustained so many injuries this season? Are you taking no responsibility at all for:
– training methods
– recovery schedules
– team rotation?

We are dealing here with a man who is reportedly so meticulous, you demand the grass on training pitches is cut to within a millimetre of your specifications. You are a man who completely controls the players’ diets, a man who, unlike Sir Alex Ferguson, oversees every detail of training.

Several weeks ago when asked if you knew why there had been so many injuries, you replied “We have an idea and we will work on it.” And yet since then, things have got even worse. So will you accept responsibility, Erik, for the failure of that “work” you were doing?

You either take no responsibility for the injury crisis, in which case you have failed to take control of something vitally important, or you do take responsibility, in which case you have failed to fix it. Either way, what are we who “don’t have any knowledge of football” not understanding when we call for you to be sacked?

Question 2. On squad construction. Ignoring the injuries:
– did you not spend £10 million on loaning Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina and do you take responsibility for his being an absolute flop at United?
– did you not sanction the sale of Teden Mengi to Luton Town for under £2 million on August 31st, who has turned out to be one of the Premier League’s best young defenders this season, knowing that your centre backs are all injury prone?
– did you not sanction the sale of Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace, knowing that Andre Onana might take some time to acclimatise to the Premier League, and putting the team in a position where it had to get used to not one, but two new keepers?
– did you not agree for Alvaro Fernandez Carreras to go on loan to Granada in August when Luke Shaw’s understudy, Tyrell Malacia, was clearly going to be out for some time, and then again to Benfica in January, when Shaw himself was also injured?
– did you also not return loanee left back Sergio Reguilon to Spurs in January leaving no cover at left back at all with Shaw struggling with persistent injuries?
– did you not fail to bring the best out of Jadon Sancho and then mishandle a disciplinary situation, leaving him to excel at Borussia Dortmund and help them to the Champions League final while you plodded on with a far inferior player in Antony?
– did you not forfeit the option to make Marcel Sabitzer’s move from Dortmund permanent last summer and live to regret it when seeing him, also, look a far better midfielder than any you retained or bought?
– would you not admit that a player you sold for £15 million, Anthony Elanga, has outperformed all your wingers this season despite playing for a relegation-threatened side?

Question 3. Do you accept any responsibility for United crashing out of the Champions League from one of the easiest groups in the tournament?

Question 4. Do you not accept that even an injury-ravaged Manchester United side should not:
– Concede four goals to FC Copenhagen and Crystal Palace?
– Concede three goals to Bournemouth, Coventry City, Galatasaray (twice), Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves?
– Concede two goals to Newport County?

Question 5. Do you take any responsibility for team discipline when in addition to Sancho, there have been off-field issues or public spats with Antony, Marcus Rashford, Raphael Varane, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo?

Question 6. Would you not admit to being stubborn in not admitting that the “transitional style” of play you chose to implement this season has been an abject failure? Should it not have been abandoned long ago?

Question 7. Is that gaping space between the midfield line and defensive line that has left us vulnerable to hundreds of counter-attacks this season a good thing? We are asking because you continue to leave it unaddressed so you must have a good reason that we, those who don’t understand football, would like to learn about.

Question 8. Could you explain please the logic of leaving one defender back for a corner when there are two minutes of extra time remaining and United are a goal up? It is obviously something very clever of you that is beyond our comprehension.

Question 9. Most goals conceded since 1971 (when there were four more games in the season) and on target to be the most ever. Joint most home defeats in history (a loss on Wednesday will take us to outright worst) – again, even comparing to years when there were 42 games per season. Many other negative records broken. This is despite £175 million having been spent on transfers. Since you have always been able to field 11 senior players in every game this season, would you not agree that this alone is grounds for dismissal?

Erik, we look forward to understanding these things so we can become better fans, pundits and journalists and provide you with the correct support you so richly deserve.

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Jaw-dropping stats that prove why INEOS would be making huge mistake by selling phenomenal United star

Derick Kinoti — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 19:10:55 +0000

Manchester United have endured a very underwhelming and frustrating season but it could have arguably been much worse without the contributions of their fantastic captain Bruno Fernandes.

United currently lie in sixth place in the Premier League table with four top-flight games left to play. The team has suffered 12 losses and six draws, the most recent one of which was against Burnley last weekend.

Earlier in the campaign, the Red Devils were also knocked out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion.

Erik ten Hag’s men have been accused of lacking a recognisable style of play and a coherent way of beating opponents and it’s believed that these are some of the main reasons behind why the Dutchman’s job at Old Trafford is hanging in the balance.

It has been suggested that a managerial change could be made in the summer, with a number of top coaches being lined up to potentially replace the under-fire Ten Hag.

However, the 54-year-old coach can thank his skipper, Fernandes, for any little hope he has of convincing the club’s top brass that he’s the right man to lead United forward.

During a tumultuous term, Fernandes has been one of the few beacons of brilliance fans have leaned on, especially in recent games. The Portugal international is in red-hot form as evidenced by the fact that he has scored seven goals and registered two assists in United’s last six games across all competitions.

Even more impressive, he has created nine chances in each of the club’s last three clashes vs. Coventry City, Sheffield United and Burnley.

Bruno Fernandes created NINE chances (4 big chances) against Burnley, he is the only player in the Premier League this season to create 9 chances in back-to-back games.

Vision. pic.twitter.com/hy726U99oE

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 27, 2024

Squawka have unveiled several metrics showcasing Fernandes’ top rank within United, emphasizing his pivotal importance to the team throughout this season.

The Portuguese midfielder has scored the most goals at the club and also has the most assists to his name. To be more specific, Fernandes has plundered 15 goals and 11 assists in 45 matches across all competitions.

Other metrics in which the 29-year-old ranks above his teammates include: shots, shots on target, chances created, high turnovers (situations where possession of the ball is lost in potentially dangerous areas), possessions, possessions won in the final third of the pitch (regaining possession in the opponent’s defensive area leading to goalscoring opportunities) and possessions won in the middle third of the pitch (regaining possession in the central area of the pitch to sustain pressure and mount attacking ventures).

He also leads the team in terms of the most successful final third passes, most successful passes into the opponent’s half, most successful passes into the opposition box, most through balls, most flick-ons, most lay-offs, most crosses and most duels.

These stats highlight Fernandes’ exceptional quality, versatility and proficiency across various aspects of play.

Bruno Fernandes for Man Utd in the Premier League this season:

◉ Most G/A
◉ Most goals
◉ Most assists
◉ Most shots
◉ Most shots on target
◉ Most chances created
◉ Most high turnovers
◉ Most possession won
◉ Most possession won final ⅓
◉ Most possession won middle ⅓… pic.twitter.com/WA1CXgJ6yv

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 29, 2024

Not only is he a creative playmaker and versatile attacker, but he’s also a key star in transition as proven by the number of passes he delivers into dangerous territories of the pitch. He’s also strong defensively and is actively engaged in proceedings considering he has won the most duels. It sheds light on his tenacity and relentless work rate.

Amidst suggestions that INEOS could accept offers for him in the summer, the above could perhaps convince the new powerbrokers at United why it wouldn’t be advisable to cut ties with the midfielder just yet.

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United break another scarcely believable 11 year record in shambolic FA Cup display

Alex Browne — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:00:52 +0000

In what should have been a moment of joyous celebration at winning a semi-final, Manchester United fans were instead left embarrassed once again by their team’s display.

First things first, United did make it to the FA Cup final where they will take on Manchester City for a chance to win the world’s oldest cup competition.

However, it was the manner of the victory which dampened many fans enthusiasm.

The reaction was also muted by the players. This was seen when Rasmus Hojlund fired in the decisive penalty in the shootout, wildly celebrated with the fans and turned around to notice that none of his teammates were in pursuit of him, like you would expect in a shootout victory.

Many of the players instead choosing to jog over gingerly or congratulate the Championship side for their fine efforts.

This was due to the fact that the team had raced into a 2-0 lead before half-time and, when Bruno Fernandes extended the lead just before the hour mark, it looked like the game was done and dusted.

But, as has become customary this season, United tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Coventry City were able to fight back to a sensational 3-3 draw at full-time, courtesy of a late penalty, as United showed their incredible mental fragility once more.

Things were almost so much worse when Coventry thought they had won in the final minute of extra time but the goal was chalked off for the narrowest of offsides. United would go on to win the penalty shootout but the game once more highlighted that there is something very wrong with this team.

This was the first time the Red Devils had failed to win a game after having a three goal lead since May 2013 according to OptaJoe.

3 – Manchester United have failed to win a match (in normal or extra-time) in which they led by three goals for the first time since drawing 5-5 with West Brom in Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in May 2013. Panic. pic.twitter.com/4JEZhygOia

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 21, 2024

This must also be qualified in the sense that this game was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last in charge and the title had already been won, so emotions were running high that day and the focus of the game was elsewhere.

Sadly, for Erik ten Hag’s squad, this is just the latest example of such weakness that in a consistently dreadful year.

United have demonstrated little character all season and this was highlighted by Roy Keane who, when speaking to ITV after the game stated, “I don’t see character in this group. It is getting to the stage where I’m actually starting to dislike them”.

Such lack of leadership was also seen when United broke the record of managing to lose a game after winning so late on in a match. This was achieved when the Old Trafford side were winning 3-2 after 99 minutes of play at Stamford Bridge but managed to throw away all three points by conceding two late goals to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

This must also be viewed in the context that the Red Devils had conceded an equaliser in the 99th minute against Brentford just a few days earlier, combining to give up five points across the final seconds of both matches.

The problem has been evident all season as the club’s Champions League campaign was littered with such moments of craziness. Two goal leads were lost in two crucial away games to FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray, which ultimately cost the Red Devils a place in the last 16 of the competition.

INEOS have much to fix this coming summer but the side’s marshmallow like strength in adversity should be number one. No side can seriously expect to compete when they fold in the face of pressure so readily, and this is what this United team are expected to do.

Hopefully the season ends in the right way and Bruno Fernandes is lofting up the FA Cup trophy. However, the fact that most fans would view this as a miracle right now, reveals the enormous underlying issues at the football club right now.

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Erik ten Hag defends his chaos ball to Ruud Gullit in extraordinary Dutch TV footage

Red Billy — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:00:51 +0000

A frustrating season from Manchester United has been blighted by injuries and off-field dramas, but it is the on-field shift in tactics from those of the previous campaign by manager Erik ten Hag that have perplexed fans and pundits alike.

Last season’s “Ten Hag ball” – a creative, progressive possession-based system with a deep lying playmaker and a fluid front three brought great success, with United qualifying for the Champions League, winning the League Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and Europa League semi-final.

However, somewhat inexplicably, the manager announced in pre-season that he wanted to make United “the best transition team in the world” and suddenly changed his tactical set-up completely.

The deep-lying play maker was replaced by a ball-carrying midfielder and Ten Hag Ball was replaced by what is not-so-affectionately termed Chaos Ball, a strategy based on quick counter-attacks, overloading the opposition when in possession and a high press out of possession.

The results so far have been, it is probably fair to say, disastrous. United have suffered more shots against them than any other team outside the relegation zone, the most in a season since 2003, with nine matches still remaining.

Watching United this season is like watching underdogs from a lower league, even against the likes of Luton Town and Bournemouth.

There is a lingering hope among many that the tactics were enforced in Ten Hag’s mind by injuries to key personnel, and that he may return to the more controlled system of last season.

But an interesting video that has been doing the rounds on social media shows that in fact, these tactics are not Ten Hag stepping out of character. They are not an aberration. He employed them at Ajax and defended them stoutly even when the legendary Ruud Gullit pointed out their glaring weakness.

Ruud Gullit questioning Erik Ten Hag’s tactics and his open midfield during a football talkshow on national TV.

ETH admits leaving the midfield wide open without anyone covering it, CAN NEVER HAPPEN, which should tell you, it’s all about player quality at United.

( 1/2 ) pic.twitter.com/djbra99O8o

— Erik Ten Shelby (@ErikTenShelby) April 2, 2024

In the 2019 video, Gullit is analysing Ajax’s Champions League home defeat to Real Madrid (a tie Ten Hag’s men subsequently went on to win before eventually losing to Spurs in the semi-final of the competition).

Gullit points out the gaps left between defence and midfield when Ajax go forward, and how easy it is to exploit by Real when possession is conceded.

The great man also noted that similar gaps were left against Bayern Munich in the group stages that should have been punished more.

The compère asked Gullit if he recognises the pattern of a team seeming unbeatable one minute and beatable by anyone the next.

“The annoying part about Ajax is … when things aren’t going well, what do you do next?” he replied.

“And that’s when they’re vulnerable.

“Especially in transition…I’ve already seen it many times before.

“At the moment they’re taking a lot of risks, especially in midfield, and all of a sudden you get ridiculous counters.”

Gullit then talked through an example from the match noting, “it gets intercepted and then they can run straight through”.

Other examples were shown of teams mounting easy counter-attacks before the compère asked if that is not always the danger of playing a high press.

“Well, there always has to be a player in the middle, who says ‘what if?’” Gullit replies, citing Manchester City’s Fernandinho as an example.

“That is something you must have: ‘what if we lose the ball?’”

But Ten Hag disagreed.

“The way we play, those are the risks that are already calculated,” he said, before chalking the Real Madrid goal down to the quality of the opposition.

Ten Hag’s Ajax overachieved in that season, winning the Eredivisie by a landslide and enjoying that epic run in the Champions League. So his defence of the risks as “calculated” held some water.

However, at Manchester United, playing in the unforgiving Premier League, they clearly do not.

The horrific gaps in the video are chillingly familiar to United fans and the concerning factor is the manager’s stubbornness and belief in the system that allows them. It means, if Ten Hag stays at Manchester United, then so, it seems, will chaos ball.

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4-2-3-1: this transformed, world class United side could cost just £75m net this summer - opinion

Red Billy — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 11:07:01 +0000

Manchester United have so many problems that it is hard to see a way through the fog.

A squad full of underperforming, overpaid stars, severe spending restrictions brought about by FFP (or PSR/FSR as it is now known) and a manager who appears to be losing his grip on both his players and reality are just some of the problems faced by the incoming new management team of INEOS.

However, the fact is, if work can be done swiftly and decisively – and having Dan Ashworth in place as director of football could be vital in this – the United team that kicks off the new season in August could be absolutely transformed for below the modest transfer budget of £100 million mooted by Four Four Two.

Our proposed overhaul is massive and it is the sheer number of incoming and outgoing players involved that would make it a challenge.

Another challenge to the hypothetical model we are about to present is finding clubs to take big earners Raphael Varane and Casemiro off United’s hands, even at giveaway prices. The problem is that Varane has one year and Casemiro two years left on their contracts and £300,000-plus per week salaries that no other club in Europe would be likely to match.

For the purposes of the exercise, we’ve been optimistic and assumed both could be sold to clubs in Saudi Arabia or the USA for a mere £5 million apiece.

With those two provisos, here is a possible United squad to start the 2024/25 season that not only would be under budget, but would also represent a wage bill reduced by £55 million per year going forward.

Our replacement of Erik ten Hag with another manager – we’ve chosen Julian Nagelsmann but there are obviously other candidates – means that players such as Jadon Sancho and Amad Diallo, who would likely be sold this summer, could be afforded a second chance.

The theoretical squad has two strong players in each position and would be supplemented by other young stars with first team experience, such as Willy Kambwala, Tyrell Malacia, Alvaro Fernandez-Carreras and Omari Forson.

Key to this model is the sale of Marcus Rashford, which not all fans will agree with. However much we might like to stick with a local player and academy product, Rashford is by far the most valuable asset and also one of United’s top earners, so his sale would facilitate a lot in terms of players coming in.

Anthony Martial will leave as his contract expires, freeing up £13 million in salary. We have also assumed that Mason Greenwood will be moved on and have estimated a £35 million transfer fee for him.

With Ten Hag going, it is probable that his talisman, Antony, will be offloaded too, with our estimate of his market potential a mere £25m. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire are the other stars expected to fetch a similar amount on the market.

With the rest released on a free, ending their contracts, or for token amounts, this makes a total in transfer revenue of £221 million and a reduction in annual wage bill of £133 million. These two amounts were added to the reported £100m transfer kitty to reach a total figure of £454 million to spend on transfer fees and salaries of incoming stars.

This is a huge amount at INEOS’s disposal.

Our suggested purchases are just that – suggestions, based on players United have been linked with, their release clauses or reported asking prices and so on. Our aim was to have two strong options in each position.

The goalkeeping department has been left as it is, other than releasing Tom Heaton.

A top-class right back such as Jeremie Frimpong would be a great addition and provide competition and cover for Diogo Dalot. Likewise, Bournemouth’s excellent young Milos Kerkez, who impressed against the Reds again yesterday, would be an excellent understudy for Luke Shaw at left back.

We have chosen Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting’s Gonçalo Inacio as a right-footed and left-footed centre back, but there are many alternatives on the market. Victor Lindelof stays on as Todibo’s backup and Lisandro Martinez would battle it out with Inacio for the left spot.

In midfield, players such as Khephren Thuram, Morten Hjulmand and Youssouf Fofana would offer an instant upgrade on current options without breaking the bank. Similar stars such as Atalanta’s Ederson could also be considered.

Bruno Fernandes keeps his place in our model, with Mason Mount as cover in his position and in various others.

With Sancho returning to provide competition for Alejandro Garnacho on the left wing, a right winger is needed. Our selection is Nico Williams, with Amad Diallo as his understudy. All four can play both wings so cover is strong.

That leaves a second centre forward. Last year’s target Benjamin Sesko is a great option and represents decent value for money with his £42 million release clause. He also fits INEOS’s desired profile of young, hungry stars with massive potential.

This is all, of course, fantasy football. But it is meant to offer hope based on logic that a thorough rebuild that could transform the club is possible in one summer, given the will and skill of INEOS to do so.

The figures we played with:

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Two-time Champions League winner could be INEOS' shrewdest signing of the summer - opinion

Conner Botterill — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 14:00:59 +0000

Manchester United are expecting a busy summer with INEOS guiding the club through their first transfer window in charge of the sporting structure.

Erik ten Hag’s squad is in need of major surgery and plenty of incomings and outgoings are predicted at Old Trafford.

However, with FFP regulations tighter than ever coupled with United’s reckless spending over the last decade, INEOS will have to look for deals that make economical sense in the market.

One player that looks likely to be available in the summer who could represent decent value is Real Madrid star, Dani Ceballos.

As reported by Spanish media, Ceballos is open to a move in the window after becoming disillusioned with life at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 27-year-old hasn’t featured as much as he’d like this season, finding himself out-of-favour in Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded midfield.

Given the quality at Ancelotti’s disposal one could be forgiven for thinking Ceballos just doesn’t meet the standards required to play for Madrid.

However, his season has been interrupted by a couple of frustrating injuries, one of which cost him his pre-season, and the Spaniard ultimately hasn’t recovered.

Ceballos chalked up ample game time last season and looked as though he was going to be a key part of Ancelotti’s side one more, this.

Lack of minutes this year has diminished his market value, which now stands at a reported €8 million, which could work in United’s favour should they decide to take a punt on the player.

However, a punt it would be given Ceballos up-and-down spell in his previous stint in the Premier League with Arsenal, which ultimately didn’t work out as planned.

But, a Liga title and Champions League triumph in 2012/22 means he would come back to England with valuable experience and a point to prove.

Ceballos is also now a fully fledged Spanish international with 13 caps to his name for La Roja.

United have been devoid of any structure in the middle of the park throughout a disappointing campaign and Ceballos would certainly add extra quality to the first team squad.

Furthermore, United are likely to lose at least one of the players in their engine room in the summer with Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Scott McTominay’s futures looking less than secure.

Whilst he might not have the quality to take United to the next level, Ceballos does represent a decent option to fill in for 15-20 games a season.

Furthermore, Madrid would probably be happy to cash in on an unhappy body in the summer, particularly given the embarrassment of riches they have in middle of the park.

INEOS will naturally have their eye on a statement signing or two in their first transfer window at the club but would be wise to keep an eye on the Ceballos situation, who could prove to be a really shrewd piece of business for the new minority owners.

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"Draining confidence and compromising points": United's last gasp woes laid bare by The Athletic

Alex Browne — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 10:00:53 +0000

Manchester United and last minute goals are built into the fabric of the club.

The 1990s and 2000s became synonymous with Sir Alex Ferguson prowling on the sidelines, examining his watch for the umpteenth time and opposition defenders quivering in their boots as the Red Devils threw the proverbial kitchen sick at them to snatch last-gasp winners.

United are still capable of this, just ask Brentford, Wolves and Liverpool.

However, moments of the sublime have been regularly followed up by last-gasp lunacy for Erik ten Hag’s side this season.

The Old Trafford outfit recently made unwanted history as they managed to convert a 99th minute lead into a loss against a much-maligned Chelsea side. With the defeat, they became the first team to manage to lose a game after leading so deep into additional time.

As a result, The Athletic have taken a deep dive into the reasons behind such late collapses.

“Mohamed Salah’s equaliser in the 84th minute on Sunday — just three days after Erik ten Hag’s side imploded in injury time at Stamford Bridge — was only the 12th-latest strike that United have conceded this season. Two have gone in past the 100-minute mark, while their tally of eight goals against in second-half stoppage time has already doubled their previous Premier League worst”.

Ten Hag’s side’s “inability to stem the tide towards the end of games is draining confidence and compromising points”.

The Athletic have pinpointed two major concerns behind United’s inability to defend late on in matches. The first is that they “are pushing too hard during the latter stages” and the second is “that parts of the squad are being overwhelmed with the physical and mental demands of the end-to-end sequences that are produced”.

The sequence of play that led to Chelsea’s last second winner at Stamford Bridge eight days ago is put under the microscope. After giving away an unfortunate penalty in the 99th minute to let Chelsea equalise, United probably should have played out for the draw in the likely remaining two minutes of play.

However, this is not how Ten Hag goes about business. Instead, “straight from kick-off, six United players steam forward, including Dalot, who loses possession after driving with the ball.

Within just 12 seconds of kick-off, moments after the damaging psychological blow of conceding a 100th-minute equaliser, United are exposed again and face yet another full-tilt sprint down the pitch, with Harry Maguire temporarily facing a three-on-one”.

The sequence of play led to Carney Chukwuemeka hitting the post, but Cole Palmer’s late goal was scored from the subsequent corner, where “three United players are pointing to Palmer, while moments before, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has his hands on his knees and is panting for air”.

The team’s tiredness undoubtedly contributed to the players switching off, which is all that is needed to punish a team in the ferociously competitive Premier League.

The Athletic note that with the extra stoppage time being allocated this season – a 38% increase, United’s gung-ho approach and bravery can be praised on one hand, on the other, it could be seen as naive in a league where every team is supremely fit and chomping at the bit to punish you.

Poor decision making due to fatigue is one issue but Ten Hag’s tactical commitment to counter-attacks is another massively damaging issue.

“Both seasons under the Dutchman have seen an increase in the average number of direct attacks conceded per game, while the latest 10-game average has rocketed after leaky displays against Brentford, Liverpool and Fulham”.

The team’s commitment to transition can bear significant fruit, like Amad Diallo’s late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup, but it can also lead to punishing blows. They allow more opportunities against an exposed defence and this results in regular chaos in the defensive structure.

What’s more, this is a particular problem for the Red Devils in second half stoppage time.

“No team has conceded more than [United´s] 11 Opta-defined ‘fast breaks’ in second-half stoppage time this season, while only Fulham have faced more shots against them after the 90-minute mark”.

This issue has been present all season, as in September’s 1-3 loss to Brighton. United were caught out in the added time as they pressed the Seagulls but the gaps in the defensive and midfield lines grew and grew, which allowed the opposition to almost score an embarrassing fourth. Luckily, Ansu Fati failed to convert from 10 yards out.

Casemiro is probably the biggest victim of this playing style. The midfield man has been poor by his own admission with his form “keeping him up at night” but he is also massively hurt by the style implemented by Ten Hag, as pointed out by the Brazilian media.

United’s style of play can be characterised as “players with waning physical attributes finding themselves in difficult one-vs-one scenarios, with the team unable to control these match-ups amid the chaos”.

This was again brutally exposed in Fulham’s late winner at Old Trafford in February when Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen were left to face an onslaught of four Fulham players, including the blistering Adama Traore, who was fresh off the bench. Not surprisingly, this led to Alex Iwobi scoring a 95th minute winner.

Nottingham Forest’s late goal in the final game of 2023 also was a prime example of the chasm that frequently crops up between the middle and back lines.

The outlet’s analysis concludes by saying there is “a paradox of identity” at United. Playing “the United way” is important, but “there comes a point — perhaps conceding in the 99th, 100th and 101st minute in the space of four days — where that trade-off might need to be considered”.

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The shocking statistic which explains United's struggles this season in a nutshell

Alex Browne — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:00:33 +0000

Manchester United’s 2023-2024 season is in danger of going down as one of the worst in the club’s recent history.

The Red Devils lie in sixth place in the league, 11 points off teams in the Champions League places and are in serious danger of being overtaken by both West Ham and Newcastle. An eighth place finish would represent the club’s worst league finish since 1990, when they finished 13th but did manage to win the FA Cup – a potentially startling symmetry to this season.

The United defence has been incredibly suspect all season as they shipped 15 goals in just six Champions League group games, crashing out in last place in December. What’s more, no team in Europe’s top five leagues has faced more shots on goal than the Red Devils in 2024.

Of course, the players and manager need to have a long hard look in the mirror when this season is done and dusted, but there is another major reason behind this season’s pathetic displays – a scarcely believable list of absentees through injury, especially in defence.

Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have missed the majority of the season and they are arguably the club’s two most valuable defenders, not just in defending but also in Erik ten Hag’s build up play.

In fact, all the backline has been missing at some point during the season, resulting in an incredible 31 different back four combinations during the season. This was highlighted by Willy Kambwala and Harry Maguire being the only two fit centre backs to play in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Man Utd have started 31 different back lines in 43 matches this season:

1.AWB, Varane, Martinez, Shaw
2.AWB, Varane, Martinez, Dalot
3.AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot
4.Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
5.AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
6.Dalot, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon… pic.twitter.com/UTppmMPR8S

— Alice Abrahams (@AliceTalksFooty) April 7, 2024

When analysing the names, it can be seen that the only real consistent in the defensive line as of late has been Diogo Dalot and perhaps it is no surprise that he has been enjoying arguably the best season of his career, highlighted by his fine display versus Liverpool at the weekend.

The Portuguese international has played 26 times in 31 Premier League matches. However, nobody else has been able to play for any considerable stretch of time in the first eleven.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has played 13 times, Raphael Varane 16, Victor Lindelof 11, Harry Maguire 14 times and even the 36 year old Jonny Evans has started nine times and been subbed on many more. This means that many players have had decent game time, but really no central defender has been able to consolidate their place in the team, never mind having two continuously available to form an actual partnership.

The left back is the most ridiculous situation where Tyrell Malacia has not played all season and Shaw has only played 11 matches with a few of them being in the centre back position.

In total, there have been six different left backs used this season with only two of them being recognised left full backs, Shaw and Sergio Reguilon. Sofyan Amrabat, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have all had to deputise in the unfamiliar role.

Ten Hag perplexed fans once again during his post-match press conference when he claimed his side played very well despite dominated in terms of shots and possession against their arch-rivals.

However, one comment he made did make a whole lot of sense. Without being able to field anything close to a consistent back four, it is normal that they players can’t build up routines or patterns to understand one another.

There is much talk about the pursuit of sporting directors and the upcoming transfer window but perhaps the most important piece of business INEOS carry out will be connected to the ongoing investigation of the massive failings of the current medical team employed at Old Trafford.

It is vital to not let any player or manager off the hook but at the same time it is worth considering, could any team actually be successful defensively under such ridiculous circumstances?

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Hattrick, hold-up, and hard-work: United's 18-year-old goal machine completely dominates rivals

Colm Murphy — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 14:00:47 +0000

Manchester United’s Ethan Wheatley put rivals Liverpool to the sword on Saturday with a scintillating hat-trick.

United sealed the three points with a 1-9 victory over Liverpool at their AXA Training Centre.

The 18-year-old was a key figure in the dominant display not just with his three goals but also his all-around display.

Starting things off with his relentless pressing, Wheatley almost forced two errors from the Liverpool keeper early on when he blocked one clearance and narrowly missed another but luck wasn’t with him on those occasions.

It didn’t take long for the hard work to pay off though as United’s press led by Wheatley forced the turnover in the 12th minute leading to the striker’s first goal of the match.

Questioned at times for his erratic finishing, Wheatley responded under big pressure with clinical composure to take his three goals and set Adam Lawrence’s team on their way to the u18s Premier League North title.

With Manchester City breathing down United’s necks at the top of the table, the win could prove vital and was especially important against rivals Liverpool.

But it wasn’t an easy one for Wheatley to step out onto the pitch with such composure after the controversy surrounding the two club’s last meeting. Despite scoring a goal in the reverse fixture as well, Wheatley would have left with a headache after taking two blows to the head from a Liverpool defender.

Wheatley kept his cool though in both fixtures, preferring to do his striking with the ball.

A variety of finishes this time out, Wheatley smashed his second goal past the keeper after a solo run before later adding his third which involved sitting down the opposition keeper and defender before rolling the ball in with style.

An improvement in his finishing could be the marker that really takes the England u17s international to the next level as a player who has always provided a threat but has let himself down at the end of moves too often.

Only recently turning 18, Wheatley is still filling out a large frame which can see him tower above the opposition defenders but it is only recently that he has started to flex his physical prowess with an ever-improving hold-up game.

Coming through the ranks as a wiry tall forward, it is actually Wheatley’s impressive dribbling and quick movement that have left the biggest impact in recent years.

But with the ever-improving physical side and potentially finding his killer instinct in front of goal, Wheatley could be yet another name to break through from Manchester United’s famed academy in the following years as he continues to progress week after week.

An impressive 18 goals already this season in all competitions, Wheatley has recently begun to step up to the u21s level where he has scored and provided an assist in his last two appearances for Travis Binnion’s side.

With United’s lack of options to lead the line in the first team, this 18-year-old may yet be the perfect option for Erik ten Hag to employ a pressing front line.

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Video: obsessive Erik ten Hag calls United "unstoppable", singles out star for bizarre praise

Red Billy — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 10:51:06 +0000

Manchester United lost yet another game yesterday against a very poor Chelsea side, having had the lead nine minutes into injury time.

Yesterday we covered post-match comments made by manager Erik ten Hag to TNT Sports, in which he claimed United “dominated the game” and “were brilliant.”

It is certainly not what United fans saw.

Whilst it is true that once again, injuries to two centre backs and two soft penalties meant luck was not on United’s side, nonetheless, the match was another example of a performance lacking in strategy, tactics, organisation and unity.

One decision Ten Hag made was to drop Marcus Rashford for Antony, who himself has had a season dogged by poor form and off-pitch distractions.

It is true that the Brazilian was by no means the worst player on the pitch, but it seemed curious that the manager spent a big chunk of his post-match press conference singing his praises, particularly since he was responsible for conceding an early penalty with a clumsy challenge in the area.

“All our players were a danger, Garnacho, Antony, he was very good. I said it before, in the last weeks, he’s progressing,” Ten Hag said.

“You see it in training, you see it when he come on against Liverpool, also against Brentford, he’s stepping up, he’s understanding the message, he’s progressing, so we’re pleased with that.”

There seems to be a favouritism regarding Antony that Jadon Sancho alluded to when he had his famous falling out with Ten Hag. Meanwhile, one of the real heroes against Liverpool, Amad Diallo, once again sat on the bench for the whole 100 minutes, while another, Mason Mount, was only introduced late in the game.

Another obsession that the Dutchman has is that United are a “transition” team, basing the play on swift counter-attacks. At the start of this season, he inexplicably abandoned the more possession-based formula that brought so much success last season to pursue this fantasy.

Again on this, at the post-match presser (via Hayters TV), his comments seemed delusional.

“It’s our strength how we score from counters,” he said.

“We can be such a massive threat, we have seen today again an example of how with tempo we can beat our opponents.

“We are unstoppable.”

We are not unstoppable, Erik. We have been stopped more times this season than in virtually any other in the club’s history.

Aside from the questionable decision to do a complete 180 on last season’s system, the transition tactic requires United to soak up pressure, which is madness when the defence has to be changed every week, where a new goalkeeper had to settle in, and when key players such as Casemiro are built for possession-based football and not at all suited to a transitional style.

It is madness to pursue this style when your best weapon in terms of pace, Marcus Rashford, is off form and when you have only one fit centre forward to do the amount of running required for it for most of the season.

In fact, one of Ten Hag’s excuses for the poor season has been the number of injuries, but the tactics he is employing require massive physical endurance and stamina and the exhaustion caused by that, in itself, could have been a major factor in the number of injuries sustained.

Whatever happens from now on with Ten Hag and his management of Manchester United, one thing is clear from this season: he is an incredibly stubborn man. He will stick to something doggedly if he believes it is right despite all evidence to the contrary.

Sometimes, that can be a great asset, but sometimes, it can be your undoing.

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