Manchester United: Erik ten Hag still defiant but is the manager still on brink?
“Ten Hag's Defiant Stance: Is He On Edge?”
Porto 3-3 Manchester United: We will address our defensive problems.
As the game approached the 90-minute mark at Estadio do Dragao, Erik ten Hag appeared to be on the brink of despair.
His Manchester United team had blown a two-goal advantage against Porto, Bruno Fernandes received another red card, and the squad was on the verge of a demoralizing loss.
While this loss might not have marked the definitive end of Ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford, it certainly would have brought him closer than ever to the brink of dismissal.
However, before that situation could actually happen, Harry Maguire jumped up to score a header that brought the game level, slightly relieving the pressure on his manager.
"We will reach our goals," Ten Hag said in an interview with TNT Sports. "Please don’t evaluate us right now; wait until the end of the season to make your judgment."
"We're on a journey of growth and progress. Over the past two seasons, we've made it to the finals, and we're determined to keep pushing forward and striving for success."
Given that United is sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, and after a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home against Tottenham has led to rumors that Ten Hag might need to turn things around in the next two matches to keep his position, it’s clear that if significant improvements aren’t seen soon, the decision regarding the Dutch manager's future could come quite quickly.
However, Ten Hag maintains that he still has the trust and support of his players and coaching staff.
When asked if he is concerned that the board might lose its patience, he responded, "I'm not focusing on those kinds of issues since they're not something I'm considering."
"We're all in this together—management, the leadership team, and the employees. I recently brought on a new team member, and we've recruited some young talent once more, so now we need to find ways to blend them into the group."
"Ten Hag's Tenure: A Closer Look At The Stats"
Photo credit: Getty Images
Erik ten Hag has entered his third year at the helm of Manchester United.
Even though Ten Hag remains confident in himself and his squad, the statistics indicate that the doubts coming from outside might be warranted.
Since the Dutchman came to the club in 2022, no other team in the Premier League has allowed three or more goals in a match as often as United, who have done so 24 times across all competitions.
Additionally, in the 62 matches they've played since the beginning of last season, United has allowed two goals in 31 of those games, which is the highest number among all teams in the Premier League.
So far this season, they have managed to achieve four clean sheets. However, for a team aiming to challenge for major titles both domestically and in Europe, conceding two or more goals in nearly every other match isn't ideal.
This indicates that even though they accomplished the notable achievement of netting three goals in their previous four European matches on the road, United has not secured any wins and has suffered two losses.
The tied match in Porto highlighted yet another troubling trend they've picked up: wasting opportunities to secure a win.
In this instance, they went from being ahead 2-0 to trailing 3-2 after their captain, Fernandes, received a red card in the 81st minute for a second high boot violation.
This was his second red card in just two matches, though the first one, received during the heavy defeat against Tottenham, was overturned following an appeal.
The Red Devils have now played five matches in European competitions without securing a victory, even though they have had a lead of two goals or more in three of those games.
In reality, United has not secured a victory in any of their last four matches when they were leading by two goals in Europe.
After dealing with concerns about their goal-scoring prowess this season, it’s concerning that they are allowing so many goals against them. Even when they manage to take the lead, they often let the other team back into the game.
"Ten Hag Balances On A Tightrope"
Despite not losing in Portugal, Ten Hag is still facing a lot of pressure as his team prepares to return to league play against Aston Villa this Sunday.
He remained with the team over the summer, and although finishing eighth was disappointing, it was lightened a bit by their victory in the FA Cup.
Despite a rocky beginning to this season that has increased the scrutiny on the 54-year-old, Mark Ogden, a senior writer for ESPN, believes that Erik Ten Hag will not be dismissed even if Manchester United suffers a defeat at Villa Park.
"I'd be shocked if he ended up losing his job," he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live. "Considering that finances are a concern."
Manchester United is optimistic that he can make a positive change. It's clear that he's in a delicate situation.
However, the duration of his stay depends on whether there are noticeable improvements in the results.
Ogden remarked that the players seem to carry themselves like students who have just finished a math class with a teacher they find unappealing, leaving them all feeling bewildered.
"Erik ten Hag doesn't seem to connect with the players on a personal level. He lacks the charm needed to lead a top-tier club effectively."
To tackle a Villa team energized by their impressive victory against Bayern Munich, Ten Hag needs to motivate his players. Otherwise, they risk suffering their fourth loss in just seven league matches.
"Erik is strong and has proven that, but playing at Villa Park will be extremely challenging," said former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves in an interview with TNT Sports.
It's a significant challenge, and he must figure out how to recover from it.
Before the match, we pointed out that they were struggling to score goals. But today, it was their defense that let them down. There were moments when it seemed like they were fixing their problems, but then new ones would arise.
"There are many concerns since he's been in the role for some time now. This will raise numerous questions."
