Aheed Abrar
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl not surprised by the poor start to the season by Manchester United
Ralph Hasenhuttl isn’t surprised by the struggles Manchester United faced early in the season. The Red Devils face Southampton next and their manager expected Erik ten Hag to face difficulties.
United lost the opening two games of the 2022/23 campaign. The Manchester-based club got off to their worst start in the league for 100 years.
Speaking before the Red Devils visit St Mary’s Stadium (h/t Manchester Evening News), Hasenhuttl understands United faltering at the beginning with a new manager. The German explains how it can be tough for someone like Ten Hag to instil his ideas early within the team.
“They’re a team with a new manager and after a not very long pre-season where the new manager has to wait and every new player is coming in and having the whole squad available to give your ideas to develop them.
“It is not surprising that it doesn’t work immediately and everything isn’t perfect.
“(But) I see a very clear identity of what they want to do now. It’s something you can see, a clear identity. They showed that in the last game and they showed they’re a strong team.”
While United underperformed in the Ten Hag’s first two competitive games in the Old Trafford dugout, Liverpool were convincingly beaten 2-1. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho got on the scoresheet.
Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped from the XI. Anthony Elnaga replaced the Portuguese in the starting lineup and was energetic. The Swedish youngster was replaced by Anthony Martial at halftime.
Another big decision by the new gaffer was to drop Harry Maguire to the bench. The captain started against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. We conceded six goals in the two fixtures.
New summer signing Lisandro Martinez started his third game alongside Raphael Varane and their partnership was solid. The Argentine was aggressive from the get-go.
Tyrell Malacia also started his first game in a red shirt, replacing Luke Shaw in the XI. The 23-year-old was another player who showed fight and grit, keeping Mohamed Salah quiet for most of the game.
More Manchester United News
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- Newcastle United have received a loan with buy option from Manchester United for Martin Dubravka
It seems Ten Hag has put his faith in the new signings, with Christian Eriksen also playing a key role in the side. And it worked in the North-West Derby. Hopefully, United are able to continue in the same vein against Southampton.
