Erik ten Hag faces make or break week with crucial tests against Tottenham, Porto and Aston Villa on the horizon as goal-shy Man United’s struggles leave Old Trafford chiefs with decision to make
‘We didn’t lose but it feels like a loss,’ was a reflection from Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen following an underwhelming draw in their Europa League opener on Wednesday night.
The Dutchman scored but was caught in possession for the equaliser, as FC Twente celebrated clinching a point at Old Trafford.
While the Dutch outfit were lauding an impressive result against one of the competition favourites, familiar noises were beginning to emerge from the Man United camp.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag agreed with Eriksen’s worrying assessment that Twente looked like they ‘wanted it more’.
It is the kind of statement Ten Hag would have been desperate to avoid heading into the campaign with his position having been under intense scrutiny for much of last season.
Christian Eriksen suggested FC Twente ‘wanted it more’ than Man United in their draw
The Europa League opener proved a poor result in an underwhelming start to the season
Erik ten Hag is already facing questions over Manchester United’s progression this season
Despite Ineos keeping faith after their end of season review, it was hardly an overwhelming vote of confidence in Ten Hag.
The club’s minority owners will have wanted to see signs of tangible progress early after sanctioning a £200million summer outlay to bolster Ten Hag’s squad.
For instance, Man United were woefully short of their rivals with their goal return last season.
A measly return of 57 goals in 38 matches compared poorly to their rivals.
Man City and Arsenal both finished the Premier League season with over 90 goals, while Liverpool and Newcastle were in the 80s. Aston Villa, Tottenham and Chelsea also notched over 70.
The issue threatens to be carrying over to this season, with Man United having only scored five goals in the five Premier League matches. Three of those came in one match against a Southampton side expected to be battling against the drop.
A lightning fast start to the campaign would have bolstered confidence in Ten Hag’s leadership, but the Red Devils have opened the season with a mixed return of three wins from seven matches in all competitions.
Former Man United midfielder Owen Hargreaves raised concerns following the draw with Twente, suggesting the club are yet to beat anyone of note so far this season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos opted to keep faith in Ten Hag after Man United’s FA Cup success
Manuel Ugarte was among the £200m worth of talent signed by Man United this summer
Ten Hag must offer signs of progression in the coming weeks to justify the club’s faith
Man United came up woefully short in their first big test of the season against Liverpool
The Red Devils overcame Fulham 1-0 on the opening day of the season, while their 3-0 win over Southampton comes with the caveat that the newly promoted side have earned just one point themselves from five matches.
While a 7-0 thrashing of League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup was viewed as a ‘perfect night’, the result was unlikely to move the dial too much when considering Man United’s progress.
The damaging 3-0 home defeat against Liverpool last month was a stark reminder of the gap Man United are faced with closing to become a title contending team again.
Ten Hag had pointed to mitigating factors after the Liverpool defeat, with injury absences such as new signing Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund, as well as the late signing of Manuel Ugarte.
Questions, however, remain over the extent of Man United’s improvement despite their summer business. While it may be too early in the season to cast judgement, Man United’s struggles last season mean Ten Hag has a much shorter runway.
A true evaluation of where Ten Hag’s side are will likely come in the next week, as Man United face two direct rivals in the battle to secure Champions League football next season.
Tottenham head to Old Trafford on Sunday in the stand out fixture of the Premier League weekend, with the two teams currently side-by-side in the table.
The following week will see Ten Hag’s side travel to Aston Villa, who have begun the season impressively as they bid to replicate their achievements last season under Unai Emery.
Tottenham will be the first of two matches against likely rivals for Champions League football
A trip to Aston Villa next weekend will be another a tough fixture for Ten Hag’s side
The fixtures are either side of a challenging Europa League trip to face Portuguese giants Porto
Poor results in both matches would likely leave Man United already playing catch-up to the teams expected to battle for Champions League qualification. It would likely lead to renewed questions about whether Ten Hag is the man to take the club forward.
The fixtures come either side of a Europa League clash against Porto, arguably the Red Devils toughest test of the new league format.
Man United’s European form is another area that requires vast improvement. The draw against FC Twente extended a poor run, with Ten Hag’s side having won just one of their last nine matches in European competition.
Porto, who will like Man United will consider themselves as a Champions League level club, will undoubtedly be a tricky assignment at the Estadio do Dragao.
While the extended league phase gives margin for error, Man United will need to correct their recent European record and show why they can be Europa League contenders.
Hargreaves suggested that while Man United have shown their ability to win one off matches, Ten Hag’s side must find ways to get results to prove they are a top team.
‘The fixtures are incredibly difficult because all those teams can play and there are some really tough ones away from home,’ Hargreaves said.
The week ahead could prove a crucial one in Ten Hag’s time as Manchester United boss
‘When you play for a team like Man United you need to rise to the occasion.
‘They have done it in some one off games when they have been up against it, but They need to find solutions. Erik sticks his neck out every time and he is honest.
‘But the fact of the matter is they need results, that is all this business comes down to when you are a top team, getting results.’
A successful week could provide the perfect shot in the arm to Ten Hag’s reign at Man United, but a disastrous one would bring back familiar questions over his future.
