**Manchester United’s Struggles Continue Under Ten Hag**
Manchester United’s performance from start to finish has been far from satisfactory. Last season, criticism was aimed at the manager, Erik ten Hag, for not establishing a clear tactical identity. This criticism resurfaced over the weekend. Ten Hag had previously dismissed Jamie Carragher’s analysis on Sky Sports, labeling it as “subjective” when Carragher highlighted the significant gap between United’s midfield and defense. However, what is not subjective is the team’s poor start to the season.
**Fan Discontent and Questions About Management**
Sections of Old Trafford were notably empty at full-time on Sunday, following a particularly dreadful performance. The match has led to more questions for Ten Hag, echoing the challenges he faced last season. This situation can only be seen as a regression in his ongoing effort to restore the team. Player Diogo Dalot, who had been forced into an improvised role at left-back, had his worst performance of the season just days after making a strong assertion.
**Dalot’s Bold Statement**
“The players might still be the same, but it feels something new on the pitch, because we feel it, as well. We feel we have to do something different. [There have been] Some changes from last year,” Dalot stated. “We want to be really high pressing, really dominant with and without the ball.”
**Concerns Over Team’s Progress**
Sunday’s performance has raised serious questions about the current state of the team. Gary Neville later commented on the situation, noting, “One thing I can say is that their application towards doing it was abysmal.” The concern is that players like Dalot believe progress is being made despite the lack of clear evidence, even before the defeat to Tottenham. Dalot, typically a measured character, may be reconsidering his earlier analysis, recognizing that Sunday’s display was unacceptable. He understands that the appropriate response is to reflect the necessary improvements on the pitch during Thursday’s game against his former club, Porto.
**Managerial Decisions and Future Prospects**
Despite calls for Ten Hag’s dismissal, including headlines suggesting, “Ten Hag is out of his depth – and it’s time for him to go,” the club seems set to retain him. “United are set to stick with Ten Hag after a sack decision,” indicates that the leadership remains somewhat supportive. However, with more than two years into his reign, Ten Hag is beginning to disillusion both frequent match-goers and devoted club defenders. The pressing question is whether the players believe in Ten Hag’s strategy at all.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Thursday’s matchup against Porto to see if Manchester United can turn their fortunes around and begin to convincingly demonstrate the effects of Ten Hag’s vision for the team.
