As bad a manager as Erik is there was still an uptick in form when Ruud was in charge so there's still feasibility for these players to be used under very specific parameters. The real struggle has been the chalk and cheese difference in system between the two contrasting coaches.
It's INEOS's poor planning and judgement that has set United up for failure this season. I do hope post match there's much emphasis on their incompetence as executives at the club. This is the fruit of their labour failing to sack a manager that underperformed only to bring in a new one mid season, with no use of the window and a congested fixture schedule.
I think the telltale signs is that this ownership will continue to fail under their leadership.