Manchester United: Ten Hag's difficult road and the crisis at Old Trafford

The defeat of Manchester United to Tottenham last Sunday at Old Trafford opened all the alarm boxes. Bitter as it sounded, this result dropped the team into a dark spot, matching their worst-ever start into a Premier League season. With just seven points from the first six matches, Erik ten Hag's situation is starting to resemble that of some past managers who failed to survive in charge. And, as has often been the case, the pressure does not take long to build when a club of United's magnitude is involved.

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The results crisis

Poor starts are not alien to Manchester United; this unwanted position first came in the 2013/14 season under David Moyes and once more in 2020/21 with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That is what, again and again, notwithstanding the heavy investments in squad and infrastructure, United keep on stumbling-it can't be more frustrating, as the name always promises much.

Compared to when he first arrived two years ago with a mission to restore Manchester United's lost competitiveness, Coach Ten Hag is no longer viewed by the fans with the same amount of confidence. The titles in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup gave some breathing room for moments but were not enough to consolidate his position. This season played so far in the Premier League is really exposing the fragility of the team and laying bare the limitations of Ten Hag against the giants of the league.

Fans' fury and growing protests

Brought in to be Manchester United's savior, Erik ten Hag came in after doing an impressive job with Ajax. Since he came in, though, the Dutchman has struggled to get across his philosophy at Old Trafford. Ten Hag's United is a team that more often than not just lacks identity. No cohesion, no intensity, and no consistency. On Sunday, the discontent of the fans was crystal clear-there were chants against Ten Hag himself. It looks like the relationship between the coach and the fans has reached a breaking point. Once the popular support is lost, especially at a club of Manchester United's stature, then it is incredibly difficult to regain it. The pressure was high, but it became unbearable after this latest defeat.

Critics didn't mince their words either, with even former players like Gary Neville doing the same. This former Red Devils defender is a hot-and-straight commentator now and couldn't resist sharing the observation, "It was an absolutely shameful performance in terms of effort, quality, and everything you want in a soccer team.". There will be many questions to be answered by this group and the coach this week," Neville said, without doubt in his voice on Sky Sports commentary. Given that this is someone who was so accustomed with the inner workings at the club, this is even heavier criticism within an already tumultuous atmosphere at Old Trafford.

The thing is, Neville hit on something important: the effort and quality of this team on the field. To watch a team that once commanded respect everywhere in the world now wandering aimlessly without identity and the intensity that once defined its history is more than frustrating for its fans.

Lack of consistency in tactics by Ten Hag

One of the echoing criticisms of Ten Hag's work at Manchester United is tactical inconsistency. The team has failed to establish a defined style of play, at times swinging from dull, bureaucratic performances to disastrous displays. The 3-0 defeats at home to both Tottenham and Liverpool further underline this fragility. United looked lifeless in both matches, devoid of ideas, and unable to react to the pressure set by their opponents.

With the uncertainty over Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford, one thing is certain-something has to be done pretty soon, or else this season spirals totally into crisis for this club.