Manchester United faced another deafening blow this week, after losing 4-0 to Oliver Glasner's rejuvenated Crystal Palace. The Eagles have been on fine form since the Austrian head coach joined back in February and the triumphant 4-0 win over the Red Devils saw Crystal Palace do the league double over Manchester United for the first time. Yet this now means Manchester United have lost 13 games and are on track for their worst ever season in Premier League history.
This awful loss once again sparks conversations about Erik Ten Hag, who joined Manchester United back in May 2022 and was brought to the club in high hopes that he could transform the squad back into a title winning team.
The Dutchman vowed to have United playing the best type of football when he joined, alluding to wanting to play high possession football, similar to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal. Despite early success which saw Manchester United secure the Carabao Cup in Ten Hag's first season, the club saw some awful defeats in the league. The one most memorable being a 7-0 loss to arch enemies Liverpool at Anfield but there were many others such as Bournemouth's 3-0 win at Old Trafford and Brighton's 3-1 win over the Red Devils.
However despite winning a trophy last season, you cannot ignore the diabolical defensive record that has followed Manchester United. Only relegated side Sheffield United (17.9) face more shots per game than Manchester United (17.7), highlighting how the Red Devil's defensive ability is similar to that of relegation fodder.
Since joining, Erik Ten Hag has brought in players he has previously coached such as Goalkeeper Andre Onana, Centre back Lisandro Martinez and right winger Antony, all of which have fallen short numerous times since joining the club. Martinez and Antony were fielded in the 7-0 loss to Liverpool and Andre Onana now stands between the posts trying all he can to fend off the incredible amount of shots his team faces.
In fact, one major criticism of Erik Ten hag has been his player selection and scouting. After spending £80 million on winger Antony, the forward has only scored one Premier League goal this season and three in all competitions.
This is a massive disappointment for fans of the club who were excited at the esteemed winger joining but the expensive signing has become a dagger in the side when United fans think of how other players such as Jadon Sancho have been isolated from the club due to Ten Hag's actions. The Dutchman's infamous feud with winger Jadon Sancho saw the young England international go on loan to Borussia Dortmund, in which he has now led to a Champions League final along with fellow ex-United player Marcel Sabitzer.
Overall, Erik Ten Hag has led Manchester United down a dark path. The club now sits in 8th place with 13 defeats and are on track to record their worst ever Premier League season.
After losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace, the Red Devils fans hold their breath in anticipation for their next three points considering they now have a run of games against league leaders Arsenal as well as Newcastle and Brighton. They have the chance to redeem themselves by winning the FA Cup in a few weeks but must conquer Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, which they failed to do last year in the FA Cup final and this season have not beaten them. With a new ownership stake, Ten Hag must fight to redeem himself and show why he was employed in the first place.
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