Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may be running out of goodwill among the top management of the club, reports have suggested. The reason is not far-fetched as the Dutch coach hasn’t been able to consistently field a balanced and confident United team.
Despite beating rivals Manchester City to lift the FA Cup last season, the Red Devils had their worst defensive showing in Premier League history, ending the season on a negative goal difference. However, with the arrival of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui during the summer transfer window, United’s defensive form has improved this season, conceding only five goals in the first five games.
Notwithstanding, ten Hag’s men haven’t yet found the needed balance in the offence. Marcus Rashford finally ended his goal drought in the 3-0 win against Southampton, but the Englishman has lacked the consistency to make him the force in attack that ten Hag needs him to be. New arrival Joshua Zirkzee has been impressive. However, his chemistry with the rest of United’s attack has not translated into goals. The Dutch striker has only found the net once in five Premier League appearances. Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho have not offered anything better in the attack.
A combination of these factors, according to a report, has led to a decline in United’s top management’s confidence in ten Hag. The Dutchman, already two years on the job, is expected to have unlocked the team’s full potential both in attack and defence, creating a finely balanced United team that can take on any opponent in the league and Europe. The missing piece in this effort may be United’s €74 million signing Rasmus Hojlund who has just returned from injury.
The hesitation to relieve ten Hag of his job immediately is believed to be in anticipation of how well he might deploy the 21-year-old Danish striker to improve United’s attack. Hojlund’s subsequent scoring form will not only serve to justify his price tag but to also keep the Dutchman at his job. The striker has expressed confidence in his development process, especially with the arrival of United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy.
