Siddharth Juyal
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves asserts that the club need to stick by manager Erik ten Hag
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves insists that the club need to give manager Erik ten Hag more time. United have lost nine out of 17 matches in all competitions this season as the team struggled to find balance.
The Red Devils have conceded 30 goals and managed to score 24 while showing visible vulnerabilities all over the pitch. United lost 4-3 to Copenhagen in their away Champions League Group A fixture and face early exit from the competition.
However, Ten Hag’s men dominated the first half an hour of the game with organised defence and strong attacks. Rasmus Hojlund scored two tap-ins as United led 2-0 before the red card to Marcus Rashford changed the game.
Hargreaves told TNT Sports (h/t BBC) that United need to stick with Ten Hag despite the nightmare season so far. He said:
“For 20, 30 minutes, United played some good stuff. Nine losses in 17 games, they aren’t good numbers and they’re bottom of the Champions League after four games. They need to stick by Ten Hag.”
United played their best football of the season in the first 30 minutes of the game with strategic changes. Ten Hag deployed a 4-2-4 formation against Copenhagen with Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay playing as double pivots in midfield.
United captain Bruno Fernandes played in his best position at an advanced role, much closer to their forward Rasmus Hojlund. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford played as the wide forwards instead of inside forwards to stretch the play.
The formation, organisation and rigidity allowed players to act according to the responsibility given to them. Furthermore, it helped in transitions to create threats and open spaces between the opponent’s defence and midfield.
Ten Hag deployed a compact and rigid structure off-the-ball with high pressing and Fernandes at advanced allowed added pressure. Copenhagen’s deep midfielders struggled to find time to distribute their passes with a particular intent.
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Many critics questioned the United boss for forsaking the philosophy that earned him success during his time at Ajax. The Dutchman has tried to implement approaches according to the players he possesses. Nevertheless, the 53-year-old has made recruitments at the club with freedom and according to his desire.
Sacking Ten Hag will be counter-productive and the Dutchman deserves more time after the success he had last season. However, a club of United’s stature need to produce results to achieve at least the minimum expectations for this season.
