Man Utd Q&A – Dropping Rashford, Ten Hag untenable, who really is to blame
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Old Trafford used to be a fortress. Now it is treated like a bouncy castle.
Manchester United's woes are getting worse by the day. After being humbled 3-0 in their own backyard by Manchester City at the weekend, Newcastle repeated the feat a few days later.
United even had more captains than they did shots on target in the Carabao Cup defeat. And there were barely more fans left in the ground by the time the full-time whistle was blown.
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So just how bad is it at Old Trafford right now?
We ask our two reporters in the north, Jeremy Cross and Chris McKenna, who have watched the destruction of a once-great footballing institution, to dissect what is going on at the Theatre of Screams…
Who is to blame for Man Utd's predicament?
Jeremy Cross:
Where do you start, because the list is long? United's decline ultimately goes back to the owners though, the Glazers.
The Americans have appointed the wrong people in the wrong roles down the years, and the knock on effect is what we are seeing now.
Chris McKenna:
The manager has to take plenty of blame considering he’s in the hot seat and isn’t turning the form around as the season progresses but this is yet another example of the lack of structure at the club stopping any sign of progress.
Erik ten Hag managed to find something out of this group of players last season and he spent heavily again in the summer but the club still managed to make a pretty shambolic go of the transfer window.
It was clear Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay were no longer wanted but now they’re playing every week thanks to injuries yet Ten Hag wanted them moved on so he could bring in different backup options.
While the signing of Sofyan Amrabat took so long he missed all of pre-season.
Then there’s the players already there. If Ten Hag is giving them a plan, they’re not following it.
There’s a similar pattern in most games, they start well, they appear to be playing to some sort of a tactical plan and then once one thing goes against them – whether that’s conceding a goal or a bad decision – they lose control and rarely regain it.
Then they play in what can only be described as a chaotic manner to try and get back into the game rather than sticking to their instructions.
The injuries are also being overlooked by some of their harshest critics.
Only maybe Manchester City could afford to lose their full first-choice back four and perform while other key areas have been hindered by players picking up knocks at the wrong time.
It’s impossible to build out from the back like Ten Hag wants when he doesn’t have the players he trusts to do it.
Yet while rival fans will moan ‘you can’t blame the Glazers’ for everything. The lack of structure and future planning means there is a feeling of inadequacy is enough around Old Trafford.
Do you think Erik ten Hag should be sacked? Let us know in the comments section.
How long does Erik ten Hag have before his role becomes untenable?
Jeremy Cross:
His position looks untenable now. Like others before him, he's getting chewed up and spat out by a club where the challenge of the job is too big for him.
But the longer he remains in charge, the worse it is going to get, even if right now, this seems impossible.
Chris McKenna:
Manchester United has become a club that goes with moods on social media rather than actually looking at the bigger picture.
Seems a lifetime ago that Sir Alex Ferguson actually banned the club from having any social media channels.
Ten Hag will surely be aware the mood is changing and results need to improve but if United really believe he’s the man and that his project is what they believe in then they should not move him on even if this season becomes farcical.
That saying, December looks like it could be hugely significant for the Dutchman if he’s still in charge by then.
They’ve got Bayern Munich at home on December 12 which could either secure qualification to the Champions League last 16 or send them out of Europe.
Then they travel to Anfield four days later to face Liverpool, who humiliated them there by scoring seven last season.
Another thrashing at the home of their bitterest rivals could be the end. If you’re looking at it with a glass half full, then a shock win there would give Ten Hag more time.
Yet Ten Hag will know he can’t have many more heavy defeats or it will be over long before then.
Would sacking Erik ten Hag change anything?
Jeremy Cross:
This depends on who replaces him, but let's be honest, who would want to replace him?
Manchester United is one of the most dysfunctional clubs on the planet – and whoever came in would inherit the same problems.
And if you sack the Dutchman, you create a problem that needs to be solved.
And who is the solution?
Chris McKenna:
There always comes a point when it seems like a manager can face no more. Jose Mourinho had it, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had it.
But what is the point of United appointing a manager to deliver a ‘project’ and then abandoning it 18 months into it?
It looks like it is going very wrong at the moment but Ten Hag still has credit in the bank from last season.
A new manager would walk into a club with a squad full of players from four different managers and need time to change it all around.
Better off seeing if Ten Hag can sort it out first, even if it means sacrificing this season.
Which players need to step up?
Jeremy Cross:
Marcus Rashford. He has his new contract, but isn't justifying it. Bruno Fernandes. He's supposed to be the leader and captain, but doesn't have the fortitude for the role.
Raphael Varane. He's a serial winner, but has gone AWOL, while Christian Eriksen isn't influencing games how he should be.
Chris McKenna:
The captain, Bruno Fernandes for one. He was – barring the Liverpool tantrums – one of their best players last season and was so creative as he craved a striker to put away the chances he was putting on a plate for players. Now he’s off form and out of position so often. His form for Portugal shows he’s still a very good player.
Casemiro needs to rediscover the form from October to March last season which made him a key component of Ten Hag’s building job but there are now fears his legs have gone.
Marcus Rashford couldn’t stop scoring last season but now he’s bereft of confidence and takes too long to make decisions which allow defences to recover when United counter. He needs to step up.
What should Man Utd do with Marcus Rashford?
Jeremy Cross:
Drop him. He needs a shot across the bows and kick up the backside, because his work rate, attitude and goal output are nowhere near good enough for someone of his talent.
He should be the one Ten Hag builds his team around, but Rashford just isn't putting in the hard yards.
Chris McKenna:
Give him some time off. Maybe leave him out for a few games. He needs a refresh and a restart. He’s the highest paid player at the club so Ten Hag may feel the pressure to play him but he’s not scoring. Give him a break and see if it revitalises him.
Does Erik ten Hag need to change his approach to the Jadon Sancho row?
Jeremy Cross:
He does. Both parties should swallow their pride, sit down and talk about a compromise because the scenario is killing both of them.
Sancho's value is dropping by the week, while Ten Hag is missing a player who could add energy and goals to the team.
But too much water has gone under the bridge now – and Sancho will be gone in the January transfer window.
Chris McKenna:
Absolutely not. If Ten Hag was to suddenly allow Sancho back in the squad with no apology after banishing him, then it would be a major sign of weakness.
It would give off the message that the Dutchman will buckle to player power once performances turn bad and that’s no way to run a football club.
United should be wary of having a better duty of care for Sancho given his previous problems but that doesn’t mean he gets a free pass back into the squad.
He’s also not a player who was in form before he was sent to train with the youth side. He’s not going to reignite this United side.
Will Jim Ratcliffe's investment actually change anything?
Jeremy Cross:
Having wealth is one thing, but as United have proved in the last decade, spending it guarantees nothing if a club buys the wrong players.
You have to have a certain mentality to succeed at United, a particular mental strength otherwise you get found out.
Ratcliffe hasn't done a takeover deal yet, but if he does, he needs to think long and hard about who he targets in terms of recruitment.
Chris McKenna:
Only time will tell on that and there needs to be transparency on how the operation will actually work.
United need change so it should be a positive step but how much power will Ratcliffe and his team at Ineos be given?
If they still need approval from the Glazers to make signings then it will ensure transfer business is still slow and chaotic.
Still, the sooner something changes at boardroom level the better.
Are the fans wrong for walking out on their team before the end of matches?
Jeremy Cross:
No. Definitely not.
When you pay the prices these people do, you are entitled to expect more than what United are giving them back.
And let's be clear, the fans have suffered for a long time now.
Chris McKenna:
It must be hard for them to watch this United side play so poorly and they are hurting more because they had hope going into the season that there was something to really build on from last term.
But there has to be a bit of realism to where the club is currently at and they should be staying until the end to show their support.
What is a realistic finishing position for Man Utd this season?
Jeremy Cross:
Top ten at worst, sixth at best.
United have no chance of finishing in the top four this season due to being light years behind the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Newcastle remain strong, while the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham are now in the equation along with Brighton.
It's tough at the top.
Chris McKenna:
It’s mad to think that United are just four points worse off in the Premier League after 10 games as they were last season but the mood was so different then as they had started to perform.
They were a point off the top four but now they’re eight behind thanks to the stronger starts by the likes of Liverpool.
But there’s a long way to go and top-four is still just about achievable. It’s highly unlikely though. A top six spot is more realistic.
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Is there any good news?
Jeremy Cross:
I've searched high and low, but can't find any.
Unless you consider the fact the season will be over in seven months time to be a positive?
United's campaign could be done and dusted long before this though, so perhaps this is a bit of good news!
Chris McKenna:
Rasmus Hojlund looks like he could be a future star striker even if he hasn’t scored yet in the Premier League.
Kobbie Mainoo is a fantastic future talent at 18 and continues to return from injury for the U21s. That's about it.
It can only get better from here? Right?
- Marcus Rashford
- Manchester United FC
- Erik ten Hag
- Premier League
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