Erik ten Hag | 2022/23 & 2023/24

[johannes_fd]

Hopefully we will look like a new team after the international break.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

So you think there's been no improvement in how we play since ETH came in - we're playing the same as in the 21/22 season? Have a word.

Maybe try to look at how we crumble at any decent away game since he came in and then we can talk. We always concede at the last minute and have done feck all to improve/fix any of that since he has come in.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

I agree. I've seen people say this is the most spineless performance post Fergie. Ridiculous.

Was a good watch and we played well. I don't get the knee jerk. Arsenal are according to everyone title contenders, we went to them away and until we were forced to sub off the 2 CBs we were the better team and had the better chances.

When we get Amrabat in and our players back from injury we'll be alright and people will then overreact and say ETH is the second coming of Fergie.

I don't know if we were the better team flat out, but it was a pretty even game all things considered until we had to bring in Maguire-Evans.

Once Martinez went off, I think we struggled to inject some control that we were showing at 1 point towards the end of the half.

We missed a lot of players and lost by very thin margins. Not happy with how we lost, but I am pretty sure we'll be much better once our first XI gets a run of games in.

 

[forevrared]

Greenwood is gone, let's move on

He's still under contract and due back at the club at the end of the season. We could've torn up his contract to give him the freedom to move on where he saw fit, instead we're still paying most of his wages and renting him a mansion in Spain. They're going to try again to reintegrate him. The writing's on the wall.

 

[Ralph1386]

Arteta told SkySports that we are a great team and really well coached. And that it was about the small margins and could have gone either way.

 

[Nicoseth]

Maybe try to look at how we crumble at any decent away game since he came in and then we can talk. We always concede at the last minute and have done feck all to improve any of that since he has come in.

People see what they want to see. Yapping on about no improvement when we won a trophy and got back in the CL in ETH's first season. But let's ignore that and pin the blame for any bad performances on the manager - sound.

 

[Chairman Steve]

We played reasonably well considering the injuries we had. I don’t blame him for the loss. Varane and Shaw were missing and we lost Martinez too. We could not use Amrabat, Mainoo, McTominay or Mount. Any of those options would have been great. We got handicapped with Martial who really looked shit for an hour and a barely match fit Hojlund looked much better than him.

If we got comprehensively destroyed with our best team, then yes you’d have a point. I didn’t think Arsenal were all that either. They were hardly immaculate themselves. Saka was silenced by Dalot. Nkeitah barely got mentioned. Martinelli was the only player who provided constant threat throughout the game.

 

[AshRK]

I think amrabat would have made a difference today. Not having a signle mf on the bench was killing

 

[the_cliff]

I don't know if we were the better team flat out, but it was a pretty even game all things considered until we had to bring in Maguire-Evans.

Once Martinez went off, I think we struggled to inject some control that we were showing at 1 point towards the end of the half.

We missed a lot of players and lost by very thin margins. Not happy with how we lost, but I am pretty sure we'll be much better once our first XI gets a run of games in.

Yeah maybe I was exaggerating a bit there but we were better than we were last season at the Emirates and we lost that game 3-2, funny how football works.

I agree and I'm not worried once all of our players are available. Just hope Martinez and Varane are back after the intnl break.

 

[Sarni]

People see what they want to see. Yapping on about no improvement when we won a trophy and got back in the CL in ETH's first season. But let's ignore that and pin the blame for any bad performances on the manager - sound.

I think we have improved but we are also beating the ‘we won the trophy so all is great’ drum a bit too much. It’s incredibly rare that you can win a trophy without playing anyone half decent before the final and it helped us massively in achieving that. I actually value our win against Barca as more meaningful as it showed we could hold up against the best. Winning EFL Cup was nice but not that meaningful in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Nicoseth]

I think we have improved but we are also beating the ‘we won the trophy so all is great’ drum a bit too much. It’s incredibly rare that you can win a trophy without playing anyone half decent before the final and it helped us massively in achieving that. I actually value our win against Barca as more meaningful as it showed we could hold up against the best. Winning EFL Cup was nice but not that meaningful in the grand scheme of things.

Definitely true, mate. But not really the point I was making. I was countering the petulant complaints that there's been no progress and that everything is on ETH. I think he has done a brilliant job so far. People forget how toxic and dysfunctional that dressing room was when he came in. Are we playing beautiful football? Of course not, but we were a total shambles about a year ago. We're 4 games into this season and people are throwing their toys out of the pram.

 

[Raoul]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

 

[r0663664]

ETH has every ingredients to be a successful manager except for his signings. Money has been spent but the issues remains. I think the biggest problem is our RW, we have a very expensive 1 dimensional player who has not have the ability to take on defender 1 on 1. We are still misding a striker who can provide 20-30 goals in EPL. We still don't have a right back who can put in a decent cross. 300-400 million spent and issues are still glaring.

 

[AFC NimbleThumb]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

I agree with the beginning of the post but I’m still asking why do people think Kane does for this team?

Neither Caf faves Arteta & Klopp were tasked with more than Top4 at this point in their tenures. I think EtH needs to show progress in areas but I think it’s a little unfair to base his success on league positioning.

We sign Kane this Summer, we are still not title contenders - that wasn’t a sliding doors moment.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

Completely agree.

He’s spent a shitload of money and imo I see no reason why Utd should go backwards from last season.

If it turns into a struggle for top 4 (which tbh I do think it will) AND the football doesn’t improve he has to start being seriously questioned.

In all reality, it probably comes down to Hojlund hitting the ground running or not…

If the lad is a hit, even if Utd regress from last season, people will focus on the positive of Hojlund and it’ll buy ETH more time and more leeway.

However if Hojlund flops, it’ll be a tough season for ETH.

 

[prateik]

I don't trust him one bit. Hope we take all powers outside the first team away from him. Transfers, reserve and youth teams .. he has no say.

He can coach the team he has.. If he cant.. he is free to walk or get sacked.

He needs to earn the right to spend hundreds of millions on questionable signings.

The club is a fecking joke too.. please get a DoF...

 

[justboy68]

Even if we stole the result, fed up of us playing like minnows hoping for a smash and grab.

 

[Kaos]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

I think the club were right not to waste all summer dancing to Levy's tune.

With Qatari owners we might have just said feck it and paid Levy his £100-120million to get the deal done, but alas we're still stuck with the vermin so we were right to look elsewhere. Don't think that's on Ten Hag.

 

[Cassidy]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

Im not sure why anyone would think we wouldn't be in a race for 4th with the state of the squad. Also the issue on Kane is a club issue not an ETH issue since Kane and Rice was his first choice according to reports.

 

[illotr]

I was very critical of him after the first 2 games but after today’s game I would be a little more patient. I could see that he’s working to transform our play especially in buildups and transitions. The players clearly are not used to the new setup due to injuries and new signings and they looked too cautious and indecisive in and out of possession. I’d give them some time to gel but they better work things out quickly since the morale is low after not so great results and things can go south very quickly from here

 

[Litch]

Its not only the shirt that weighs heavy....

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

We were never getting Kane from Levy.

The outlay needed for him was ridiculous according to reports and Levy was always going to rather sell aboard than to a Prem rival. We didn't even want to deal with Levy and rightly so.

 

[Raoul]

I agree with the beginning of the post but I’m still asking why do people think Kane does for this team?

Neither Caf faves Arteta & Klopp were tasked with more than Top4 at this point in their tenures. I think EtH needs to show progress in areas but I think it’s a little unfair to base his success on league positioning.

We sign Kane this Summer, we are still not title contenders - that wasn’t a sliding doors moment.

Not sure about title contenders but there would've been significant progress in our weakest department, which is scoring goals. Whether or not Kane was feasible because of Levy, the fact that ETH prioritized the likes of Mount and Onana over an established, proven goal scorer will probably plague us again this year.

 

[Cassidy]

Not sure about title contenders but there would've been significant progress in our weakest department, which is scoring goals. Whether or not Kane was feasible because of Levy, the fact that ETH prioritized the likes of Mount and Onana over an established, proven goal scorer will probably plague us again this year.

ETH did what? He absolutely did not the club did not give the manager what he wanted which was a world class CF.

You can argue the club did the right thing leaving the Kane discussion but you can’t say ETH didnt want a top striker when he pretty said he did and all reports said he did.

Also we absolutely needed a GK

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Not sure about title contenders but there would've been significant progress in our weakest department, which is scoring goals. Whether or not Kane was feasible because of Levy, the fact that ETH prioritized the likes of Mount and Onana over an established, proven goal scorer will probably plague us again this year.

Who was available though?

Most weren't at the required level and 2 names(Kane and Osimhen) constantly touted by people in here would have cost upwards of 120mil.

I was expecting a better start this season, but we've yet to play a game with our first XI. I'm sure we'll pick up form and go on a run of good results after the break.

 

[Nicoseth]

I think ETH is at a massive inflection point in his United tenure at the moment. If the level of play doesn't discernibly improve from last year and it begins to look like we're in another race for 4th, then questions will be asked, especially with respect to why he bought the players he has when the likes of Kane were available.

Speculative guff like this does nothing to help ETH. Do you know if Kane was available? Multiple reports said that Levy would simply not sell him to another prem team.

 

[mu4c_20le]

ETH did what? He absolutely did not the club did not give the manager what he wanted which was a world class CF.

You can argue the club did the right thing leaving the Kane discussion but you can’t say ETH didnt want a top striker when he pretty said he did and all reports said he did.

Also we absolutely needed a GK

The club, by all accounts, were acting on his instruction. Are you trying to say the club refused to find him a striker and prioritized Mount for him?

 

[Raoul]

Speculative guff like this does nothing to help ETH. Do you know if Kane was available? Multiple reports said that Levy would simply not sell him to another prem team.

There were more established, proven goal scorers available than just Kane. The broader point is we got a 20 year old kid who scored 9 goals in 32 Serie-A appearances last year. He is more of a developmental player than a reliable #9 who can walk in and score 25 plus goals this year.

 

[Raoul]

Who was available though?

Most weren't at the required level and 2 names(Kane and Osimhen) constantly touted by people in here would have cost upwards of 120mil.

I was expecting a better start this season, but we've yet to play a game with our first XI. I'm sure we'll pick up form and go on a run of good results after the break.

Not sure what the right answer is here. I'm pretty sure that there were more than just Hojlund available this summer. Kolo Muani would've been a decent option - 23 Bundesliga goals last year.

 

[Cassidy]

The club, by all accounts, were acting on his instruction. Are you trying to say the club refused to find him a striker and prioritized Mount for him?

Im absolutely saying the club didn’t sign the strikers he wanted. He reportedly wanted 2 by the way. A young striker and a proven world class CF. ETH likely accepted this due to finances but I am 100% convinced he didn’t get what he wanted. I’m also convinced he was told Greenwood would be back.

When we were attempting to sign Hojlund we said he would play wide at times and be seen as a player for the future by the way.

I can’t say what happened with Mount but we see that the club didn’t sign the player ETH had convinced to join the club in June until the last say of the window.

I agree signing Mount was a mistake. However I honestly believe ETH was expecting 2 CFs this summer but the club failed to shift players to raise funds and also ended up paying more for Hojland than anticipated. Probably thought it was fine as they agreed to bring Greenwood back.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Not sure what the right answer is here. I'm pretty sure that there were more than just Hojlund available this summer. Kolo Muani would've been a decent option - 23 Bundesliga goals last year.

Different profile to Hojlund though. Not as good with his back to goal.

If Hojlund's a success, we've got the position sorted for 5+ years.

 

[Cassidy]

Different profile to Hojlund though. Not as good with his back to goal.

If Hojlund's a success, we've got the position sorted for 5+ years.

No we still need another CF because he can get injured

 

[Cassidy]

Not sure what the right answer is here. I'm pretty sure that there were more than just Hojlund available this summer. Kolo Muani would've been a decent option - 23 Bundesliga goals last year.

PSG only managed to sign him on deadline day. Also hes not great with his back to goal and isn’t as physical

In terms of his development trajectory too Im not convinced he is a bette talent than Hojlund.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

No we still need another CF because he can get injured

We do, because Martial is a sicknote + finished

But getting Kane or Osihmen in with Hojlund was always unrealistic.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Im absolutely saying the club didn’t sign the strikers he wanted. He reportedly wanted 2 by the way. A young striker and a proven world class CF. ETH likely accepted this due to finances but I am 100% convinced he didn’t get what he wanted. I’m also convinced he was told Greenwood would be back.

When we were attempting to sign Hojlund we said he would play wide at times and be seen as a player for the future by the way.

I can’t say what happened with Mount but we see that the club didn’t sign the player ETH had convinced to join the club in June until the last say of the window.

I agree signing Mount was a mistake. However I honestly believe ETH was expecting 2 CFs this summer but the club failed to shift players to raise funds and also ended up paying more for Hojland than anticipated. Probably thought it was fine as they agreed to bring Greenwood back.

I actually like Mount, but he feels like a luxury signing. I think Hojlund was never first choice, and some uk publications said ten hag wanted Kane. I agree about the MG stuff. Whole thing just feels like a cluster feck.

 

[Cassidy]

We do, because Martial is a sicknote + finished

But getting Kane or Osihmen in with Hojlund was always unrealistic.

Hojlund should not have cost more than 60m euros and if we could actually sell players properly I think we could have done something. Not Kane or Osimhen I would have taken the Morrocan striker from Sevilla to be honest.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Hojlund should not have cost more than 60m euros and if we could actually sell players properly I think we could have done something. Not Kane or Osimhen I would have taken the Morrocan striker from Sevilla to be honest.

What do you think Hojlund should have cost?

With how the market is, I don't think it's that outlandish.

Caicedo had 1 very good season and commanded a world record fee. The market's gone bonkers.

 

[Cassidy]

What do you think Hojlund should have cost?

With how the market is, I don't think it's that outlandish.

Caicedo had 1 very good season and commanded a world record fee. The market's gone bonkers.

60m euros including addons. That would have been 3 times what they paid for him a year earlier

 

[Raoul]

I actually like Mount, but he feels like a luxury signing. I think Hojlund was never first choice, and some uk publications said ten hag wanted Kane. I agree about the MG stuff. Whole thing just feels like a cluster feck.

Agreed. I also believe that ETH was banking on Greenwood's return and goal contribution, which probably drove his calculus on which attacker to buy. The fact that he allegedly recommended he return, combined with Arnold's strategy to reintegrate him (before the 180 in the final hours) only reinforces this imo.

Same thing 12 months earlier when CR7 was still in the mix and just got done banging in 24 goals the year prior. ETH probably thought he could rely on him doing it again and could therefore throw 80m towards the likes of Antony instead of prioritizing a striker.

Hopefully a combination of Hojlund and Martial, alongside Rashford's goals will be enough to challenge for fourth this year.

 

[Nicoseth]

There were more established, proven goal scorers available than just Kane. The broader point is we got a 20 year old kid who scored 9 goals in 32 Serie-A appearances last year. He is more of a developmental player than a reliable #9 who can walk in and score 25 plus goals this year.

Care to mention who these proven goal scorers were?