With this season’s play poor, Erik ten Hag’s game model must impress Manchester United’s Ineos-led football department or he might be fired. United’s poor Premier League start saw them win once and lose twice before the international break.
The club recognizes that Ten Hag has been hampered by injuries and needs time to integrate his five summer signings, but there is considerable concern about his team setup.
United’s football department, directed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and Jason Wilcox, the technical director, is reviewing the Dutchman’s game model. Wilcox oversees the first team’s play.
As in their 2-1 loss at Brighton, United looked vulnerable in midfield and defense in their 3-0 loss against Liverpool on Sunday. United’s opening 1-0 win over Fulham, thanks to a late Joshua Zirzkee strike, was likewise lackluster.
Ashworth and Omar Berrada, the CEO, have supported Ten Hag in recent days, and this support will continue.
However, Ten Hag, who signed a contract extension in the summer after United considered other candidates, must show his team can dominate games and opponents.
Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Manuel Ugarte joined United this summer. Yoro will miss at least a month due to a pre-season foot injury, and Ten Hag says Ugarte needs time to get match fitness after not playing for PSG before his £42m deal.
Ten Hag’s first-choice No 9, Rasmus Højlund, has not yet played. Dane is back training following a hamstring injury and may return after the international break when senior left-back Luke Shaw is anticipated back from a calf ailment that has sidelined him this season.
Tyrell Malacia, Shaw’s deputy, will return to United next month after a year out with a knee injury. Victor Lindelöf has been out all season with an unknown ailment.
