Why Man United should sack Erik Ten Hag after tactical horror show let Spurs run riot at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED were thrashed 3-0 by Tottenham with Erik Ten Hag’s men run ragged for most of Sunday afternoon.
The under-fire boss got the vote of confidence over the summer and signed a new contract – but after just six Premier League games into the new season, he is once again facing the sack.
Spurs carved the Red Devils open for the first time after just three minutes when Micky van de Ven’s stunning run set Brennan Johnson up for a tap-in.
And it proved a sign of things to come as United’s tactics proved disastrous.
Despite being down to ten men, there were huge red flags and there might be no way back for Ten Hag – or Diogo Dalot.
Poor pressing
Man Utd defend in a 4-4-2 shape but get the system horribly wrong.
Their defensive lines are so far apart and Rodrigo Bentancur had a field day from kick off.
The two that lead United’s press put no pressure on the ball and Tottenham could find a man in midfield to start attacks with ease.
Bentancur had the freedom of Old Trafford and gave Spurs a numerical advantage in the centre of the park as Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte were occupied by Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Bruno Fernandes, while he was on the pitch, then started chasing the ball and left Pedro Porro unmarked. It was shambolic.
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Surely, he should have dropped deeper to go 3 vs 3 in midfield?
Either the tactics are wrong or the players are not carrying them out properly – either way it is bad for Ten Hag.
Ugarte’s nightmare
Spurs attack using the half spaces – between the centre and the wings.
But United did not block these corridors effectively and new boy Ugarte – brought in to bring some stability – struggled against Maddison and looked unsure where he needed to be.
They were also pressed relentlessly as Ange Postecoglou’s side had triggers for when to close down – if Dominic Solanke can get after the ball, the whole team squeezes with him.
Horror mistakes
Van de Ven’s run is exceptional – but he is allowed to go driving into that half-space corridor.
Noussair Mazraoui is sold a dummy by Timo Werner’s run and Ugarte does not come across in time.
Matthijs de Ligt fails to cut off the marauding run as Solanke cleverly drags Lisandro Martinez out of position to give Johnson space for the tap-in at the far post.
But Dalot must hang his head in shame. As Van de Ven sets off, he is level with the eventual goalscorer on the half-way line on the opposite flank.
Yet by the time the ball goes into the back of the net, Dalot is about ten yards behind Johnson.
He switches off and gives up – it cannot be a lack of pace given the size of the gap – and is already apologising seemingly before it becomes 1-0.
An unforgivable lack of discipline and effort, fans in the Stretford End could be forgiven for not wanting to see last season’s player of the year again.
Kulusevski’s genius
Insanely fit Kulusevski covers so much ground and against Man Utd was getting close to Solanke to support him.
With Ugarte and Mainoo already occupied, the Swedish midfielder drifted inside and gave them another headache.
His incredible stats show he created NINE chances during the game – four more than any United player has managed IN TOTAL at Old Trafford this season.
It further underlined how United failed to get a grip in Sunday’s mauling.
Onana keeps the score down
From Ten Hag’s perspective, thankfully Werner played instead of Heung-min Son or it could have been 6 or 7.
The ex-Chelsea man missed several huge chances – but Onana should get credit for the saves he made.
Werner has lost confidence in his finishing and the keeper charged out quickly when he was through on goal before stopping to narrow the angle down and make the save.
A solitary positive on a bleak day for the United flops and their manager, who appear to be completely out of sync and out of ideas.
Man Utd ratings vs Tottenham
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.
However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.
And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.
Andre Onana – 5
Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.
Subs:
Mount (for Mainoo 45) 5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5.