Manchester United will be facing Brentford on Saturday afternoon, once again putting Erik ten Hag in the spotlight. The Dutchman has been facing criticism due to his team’s lackluster performance this season, which is supported by data showing their poor form under his management.
When comparing United managers since Alex Ferguson, only Ralf Rangnick achieved fewer points per game than Ten Hag, excluding Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick. Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho were sacked for poor performance and negative playing style, but both had better league records than Ten Hag. Despite claiming United’s best post-Fergie performance in last season’s FA Cup final, the team has been abominable under Ten Hag, especially since their Carabao Cup win in 2023.
After a disappointing draw with Aston Villa, Ten Hag set and broke his own unwanted record for United’s poor start to a Premier League season in 2023-24. Despite adding familiar players like Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, as well as new signings Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte, the team’s performance worsened. United have only scored five goals this season, with one being a deflection, and have struggled to find the net against strong opponents.
The manner of defeats under Ten Hag is concerning, with embarrassing losses to top teams like Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as shocking defeats to smaller clubs like Brentford, Brighton, and Crystal Palace. United’s defensive frailties, combined with their struggles in front of goal, highlight the team’s overall ineffectiveness under the current manager.
The change in Marcus Rashford’s performance is evident, as he has seen a decrease in goals scored while being deployed in a wider position by Ten Hag. Rashford’s strengths lie in attacking the box and making explosive runs, qualities that have been underutilized in his current role. Additionally, the signing of goalkeeper André Onana for his passing ability has not been effectively utilized by United, resulting in a lack of progression in the team’s play.
Overall, United’s poor form under Ten Hag has raised serious doubts about his ability to turn the team’s fortunes around. With mounting pressure and scrutiny, it remains to be seen whether he can address the team’s deficiencies and guide them to a better performance in the upcoming matches.
