New Delhi: As Christian Eriksen gazed upwards following FC Twente’s goal in 68th minute at Old Trafford on Wednesday, it was more than just the game slipping away from Manchester United. It felt like a defining moment for Erik ten Hag’s tenure. The usually composed Dutch manager stood expressionless on the sidelines offering little in the way of emotion, and perhaps that is where the problem lies his blank reaction was emblematic of a team that appears to have lost its direction and spark.
So far Man United’s have not been so good in the early fixtures of the 2024/25 season coupled with the mounting pressure on Ten Hag signals that the end may be near. The whispers of Erik ten Hag’s uncertain position began long before this season. Even after guiding Manchester United to an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last year the club’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe remained non-committal about Ten Hag’s future.
A manager on borrowed time?
Reportedly, Ratcliffe explored alternatives like Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Kieran McKenna during the summer but all declined the role leaving Ten Hag to start the season almost by default.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag, his squad’s performance has done little to silence the critics. United have looked disjointed and uninspired, lacking in both direction and intensity. Their seven game record in all competitions this season with just three wins, two draws and two losses stands as a testament to their struggles.
The Red Devils have rarely looked convincing except 7-0 thrashing of League One side Barnsley. Even victories like the 3-0 over Southampton do little to boost confidence in a long-term turnaround under Ten Hag.
United’s lackluster showing against FC Twente, currently fourth in the Eredivisie only compounded the growing concerns. The Dutch side dominated the second half, creating numerous opportunities and by the end should have left Manchester with all three points.
This performance of United have left both fans and analysts questioning whether Ten Hag has what it takes to inspire this group any longer.
Regular inconsistency in performance
United’s goal-scoring troubles have been particularly glaring this season. Excluding the comprehensive wins over Barnsley and Southampton, they have managed just three goals in their remaining five matches. For a club that prides itself on attacking football this kind of offensive drought is simply unacceptable.
The defense has also been shaky. In pivotal moments, United have often appeared passive and vulnerable allowing opponents like FC Twente to dictate play and create chances at will. As Christian Eriksen noted after the match, Twente’s players “wanted it more.”
Ten Hag himself admitted that the team lacked ambition and was too complacent in his post-match press conference, raising further concerns about whether he still commands the dressing room’s belief and loyalty.
A final stand or the beginning of the end?
In football, results are everything. While there may be valid reasons for Ten Hag’s struggles such as the structural upheaval at the club since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe but those in charge at Manchester United will ultimately have to weigh the cost of persevering with a manager who has yet to show he can guide the club back to the heights it once reached.
The upcoming October fixture of Red Devils is a bit tricky. With mathces against Tottenham, Porto, Aston Villa and Chelsea looming large the upcoming days could very well determine the Dutchman’s future at England’s most storied football club.
Another series of poor performances, and it’s hard to see how the United hierarchy can continue to back him. While it would be too simplistic to suggest Ten Hag has just three games to save his job and it’s crystal clear that losses in these key fixtures could lead to his dismissal.
Man United fans are also running out of patience. After eight years of underachievement following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the club has gone through five permanent managers. The post-Ferguson era has been marked by false dawns, and supporters desperately want someone who can finally lead them back to the top.
Whether Ten Hag will survive the upcoming storms or not depends on one simple factor- whether his players still believe in him. If they do, they will need to show it starting with Tottenham on Sunday. If they don’t, then Manchester United could very well be searching for their sixth permanent manager since the great Scot departed. The next few weeks will be revealing the story but for now Erik ten Hag is a man who is under immense pressure staring down the barrel of what could be the end of his reign at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s future at Manchester United hangs in the balance as poor performances raise questions about his ability to lead the club to success. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
