Aditya Bose
Robbie Savage blames Erik ten Hag for Manchester United struggles
Robbie Savage, who began his own playing career at Old Trafford as a young player before finding success with Leicester and Blackburn has held Erik ten Hag responsible for the current mess at Manchester United.
Our season has gotten off to a terrible start, with four losses in six games played across all competitions. The Red Devils suffered their third straight defeat on Wednesday at Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Football pundit Robbie Savage has accused Ten Hag of making an effort to shift responsibility. He said (h/t Manchester Evening News):
” Ten Hag was hoping to put his stamp on the side this season but right now this Manchester United team has no dynamism, it’s full of lethargy and the players don’t look like they are enjoying it.”
“Worst of all, the manager appears to suffering from delusions of grandeur because some of his excuses don’t wash.”
What Savage pointed out makes complete sense. As the manager, it is Ten Hag’s duty to ensure that conflicts are resolved without being brought to the public eye and hamper squad harmony. Surely the buck has to stop at the manager.
While Jadon Sancho is not entirely faultless in the matter, Ten Hag could certainly have handled the standoff better. More so, the lack of a plan B in the tactics employed is worrisome as tougher challenges await us in the coming months.
In recent weeks, Ten Hag has used his post-match media obligations to criticise officials and technology, most notably by claiming that VAR utilised the incorrect angle to rule Alejandro Garnacho offside in the 3-1 loss to Arsenal. While opinions are great, it matters for little unless the Dutchman can come up with solutions for his side’s struggles.
Rasmus Hojlund‘s lack of a penalty for a gentle challenge was another thing he questioned. Instead of questioning the authorities about what could have been, it’s definitely high time when the team put forward a notion that they are capable of overcoming tough situations rather than complain of decisions that don’t go their way.
More Manchester United News-
- Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag passes the buck to Jadon Sancho
- Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea contemplating retirement
- Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker lashes out at “selfish” Marcus Rashford.
United are already a significant nine points behind Manchester City, the defending champions who are at the top of the Premier League standings. Hopefully Ten Hag will soon do his talking on the pitch, where it eventually matters.
