Manchester United once again found themselves on the wrong end of a disappointing performance. From careless ball losses in their own half to seeing their captain sent off, Erik Ten Hag’s men endured a disastrous 90 minutes against Tottenham. While some might argue that being down to 10 men played a role, Spurs were dominant from the first whistle, putting the Red Devils under immense pressure throughout.

Ten Hag, who has been under scrutiny for the past month, now faces even more criticism as United’s poor form continues. Experts and pundits have been vocal, with many questioning whether the Dutch manager’s tenure is on thin ice.

Alan Shearer calls Manchester United miles away from winning

Tottenham Spurs had 24 shots attempted in their 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. Moreover, Manchester United failed to create even a single big chance the entire game. The defence line seemed in pieces as both the fullbacks were booked around the half-hour mark. Reflecting on what would be a day to forget at the office for Erik Ten Hag, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has expressed his disappointment. Talking alongside Lineker on The Rest Is Football (h/t Mirror) he said,

“What are they? Can anyone tell me, what is Man United? What is their system, and what is their plan? Do they sit? Do they attack? Do they press? I haven’t got a clue what they are. They’re a mess.”

Shearer dismissed the argument that Manchester United’s recent Carabao Cup and FA Cup triumphs should shield them from criticism. He pulled no punches in his assessment of Erik Ten Hag’s squad, stating,

“They’ve won the Carabao and the FA Cup, but in terms of being a force in the league, they’re miles off. They’re miles away. They’ve got no identity.”

Manchester United’s performances this season have been far from convincing. Despite two wins, both were last-minute scrapes after being dominated for most of the game. Shearer’s point about the Red Devils lacking identity and character in the first six weeks is hard to dispute. They’ve rarely had control over their matches, often looking disjointed and lacking a clear game plan.

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The new signings have yet to live up to expectations, and Erik Ten Hag’s tactics have been questionable. After their defeat to Spurs, Manchester United dropped to 13th in the Premier League, with a goal difference of -3, having managed only 7 points out of a possible 18. This marks their second home defeat of the season, with a crucial Europa League fixture against Porto looming on October 4, 2024.

Rebuilding consistency in both their lineup and performances will be essential for United moving forward. The situation looks precarious, but there’s still time for Ten Hag to turn things around. Despite the board’s surprising show of faith in him, it’s becoming clear that the Dutchman needs to prove his worth and restore United’s standards before the pressure mounts even further and he’s shown the door.