Man Utd set to cut two disappointing Ten Hag players loose after draw

Spurs v Man Utd: Pictures

Manchester United made four substitutes against Tottenham on Thursday night, but not a single player impressed as Erik ten Hag saw his side squander a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in north London. The good news for the Red Devils is, however, that half of the quartet are primed to leave at the end of the season. The club need more if they’re to challenge for the Premier League title next term – and their manager knows it.

Manchester United looked to be cruising to victory over Tottenham after goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford inside the first 44 minutes.

But, for the second time in a month, the Red Devils collapsed with Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min striking to earn the hosts a draw.

Ten Hag was criticised online for his substitutions during the showdown and all four of the players he brought on failed to make their mark.

Fred had his uses but his introduction for Christian Eriksen backfired, with the latter impressive on is return to his old club.

Anthony Martial was brought on as an attacking figurehead but looked off the pace, while also frustrating Ten Hag by taking his time to get ready to come on.

Wout Weghorst pressed well, as per, but the Netherlands international clearly isn’t good enough to stay at the club on a permanent basis.

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And Tyrell Malacia looked shaky again, having struggled in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw with Sevilla earlier this month.

United were content with a point, something they’d have taken before kick off.

But the reality is they should have won and left the capital with all three points, especially given their earlier dominance.

It has previously been reported, however, that the likes of Martial and Weghorst are primed to leave the club at the end of the season.

And their exits are likely to pave the way for better players instead, even if Ten Hag has admitted he feels the pair can both be impressive at times.

Martial has been at the club ever since 2015.

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United gambled on the Netherlands international back in January, believing he’d be the ideal short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

He’s capable of moments of quality but, simply put, isn’t fit nor consistent enough to be the Red Devils’ focal point in their attack.

United are keen on signing Harry Kane who, while unable to score, was a constant threat throughout the fixture.

And Martial’s imminent exit should pave the way for the Red Devils to land the Tottenham hitman, though they clearly need a back-up forward as well in the event of a departure.

Particularly if Weghorst, as expected, returns to Burnley.

United gambled on the Netherlands international back in January, believing he’d be the ideal short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Yet Weghorst, with just two goals to his name, trails the Portugal international in the scoring charts for the club this season.

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He is a toothless figure for the club, failing to offer much of an attacking threat and becoming much-maligned in the process.

Ten Hag has insisted no decision has been made on the 30-year-old and his future just yet.

But, behind the scenes, there’s a growing feeling United will allow Weghorst to return to Turf Moor come the end of the campaign.

Fred is primed to sign a new contract with the club, having proven to be a useful player throughout Ten Hag’s reign so far.

And Malacia will be given time to prove himself in the future, having only arrived from Feyenoord last year.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, was asked if he found United’s draw with Tottenham ‘disappointing’ in the direct aftermath of the contest.

And he replied by saying: “Yes, definitely. Although my opinion was we didn’t play that well.

“We had a lot of chances but we didn’t finish. We were not clinical enough, but we scored two times. And then you have to finish the game.”

He added: “The goals we conceded, they were so easy. We didn’t block the crosses and you have to be proactive there.

“We have to come out to block the shot with the second long ball and we didn’t squeeze out – it was so easy for them and it kept coming and it was so easy to score a goal then.

“We come into every game to win, but it was clear how they managed the game. We wanted to win, which we didn’t [do].

“I think before [the game], the draw was okay.

“But when you see this game, when you are 2-0 up, of course then you have to manage the game and put it over the line.”

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