Inconsistent and Unworthy: Fluctuating Performances of Manchester United under Erik ten Hag

With them, it’s all or nothing. Catastrophic matches, unworthy defensive errors, totally avoidable defeats. Then sparkling performances and prestigious victories, which also earned the titles of coach and player of the month for November for Erik ten Hag and Harry Maguire.

Many smiled when they discovered this news, just after the defeats at Newcastle (1-0) and against Bournemouth (0-3). The hiccup with the timing of the trophy presentation amidst December’s renewed disillusionment perfectly symbolizes United’s current woes.

“We are inconsistent as a team,” admits midfielder Scott McTominay. We talked about it with the technical staff. The schedule has been relentless, but we can’t use that as an excuse. As a group, we need to come together and find answers.”

Answers to what problems? A little physical (the absences of Casemiro, Eriksen or Mount did not help); a little technical; but above all very psychological. “When you play against teams like Bournemouth, who are very aggressive, who put their foot down, who press you, and you think it’s going to be easy, you lose, railed captain Bruno Fernandes. We just lack consistency and that’s a very important thing in football. We have to be able to continue, and we can’t do it.”

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“We are capable of beating anyone.”

The question of the responsibility of the coach then inevitably arises. In England, the hypothesis of dismissal is even starting to grow. “Has anyone ever won manager of the month and lost their job in the same week?” Gary Lineker quipped on X. “But everyone is completely behind the coach”, assures McTominay.

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However, the locker room has come close to implosion in recent weeks. With in particular the cases of Sancho (suspended) and Antony (suspended then reinstated) and the major misdeeds of executives like Rashford, Martial or Höjlund. “We have great personalities in the locker room. Maybe it’s been toxic with some other coaches in the past, but that’s not the case now,” insists McTominay.

Erik ten Hag can only hope that his team has a strong moment this Tuesday evening against Bayern. To go to the next round, they need to win, but also hope for a split between Copenhagen and Galatasaray. “We are capable of beating any opponent, when we are at our best”, motivates the Dutch coach who perhaps plays his part in this evening.

2023-12-12 10:08:00
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