Erik ten Hag | 2022/23 & 2023/24

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I'm starting to lose faith in him.

We're still playing like we did in the first game of the season against Wolves.

Gaps all over the pitch.

It's hasn't been fun this season watching United get outplayed by a majority of teams in the league.

The way the team is set up we are way too easy play against. And the issues from last season of not being able to create many chances is still there.
Starting? How bad does it need to get? I hoped he’d be the one to implement a modern style of play but he’s been a disaster this season.
 
The more we blame everything on the manager the more we move away from the root cause of our players letting us down under numerous managers


Eg Rashford for instance played well under this manager and had his best season. This season he can't be bothered to run in some games. Is that a player fault or a manager fault?

It's the players fault but it's ETHs fault for continuously picking him

Look I'm not saying everything is the players, the manager obviously has to take a massive part of the blame as well. But it seems that the managers get sacked and the Rashford, Mctominays, maguires etc have been here for years and they just aren't good enough or have the right mentality to play for united get new contracts.

There isn't 1 factor that will fix this. It's multiple factors and unless we go to address them all, it's pointless task just to address 1.

Mark my words, if we sack ETH and bring in a new manager but next season we regularly line up with Rashford, Bruno, mctominay & Maguire. We will be a shambles again
It’s only a handful of players that remain from previous management. It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee
 
From after the match

"In the end, if you allow them so many chances in the first half, as a team you don't deserve more. You have to take control, don't give chances and score goals for yourself.”

exactly what nearly everyone has been saying for 12 months Erik!
 
From after the match

"In the end, if you allow them so many chances in the first half, as a team you don't deserve more. You have to take control, don't give chances and score goals for yourself.”

exactly what nearly everyone has been saying for 12 months Erik!
Seems like he wants them to play in a certain way, and not give up so many chances.......... but doesn't seem to get that playing in that certain way is giving up chances. The players must be loving it
 
It’s been a horrible season. That’s for sure. Everyone, including him, has had questionable decisions.

My gut feeling is that we actually need the Rangnick method. With Ineos I would like us to cut a lot of players, with or without a loss of money.

Berrada and Ashworth obviously need to look at the situation and make hard decisions. If they think players and manager should go, then so be it.

Personally I would like to see EtH under different circumstances. That said, I do understand a lot of fans got no more patience with him.


It's time to gut the team and start from scratch without the likes of Rashford, Bruno, Casemiro, Varane etc.
We are asking players to play in a certain way and they don't respond that well either due to their own physical, mental, technical limitations or due to failed coaching. I think it's the former.

I too really understand why a lot of fans want to see the back of Ten Hag, but football is first and foremost played on the pitch and post-Fergie I haven't seen anything from our lads that they can adapt to a high on the pitch pressing, controlling style of play. Our players are individually all brilliant, no doubt about that, but as a group they are lacking and I really think it's because they are suitable to a counter attacking style that relies on lots of time and space and individual brilliance.

I do too think that Ten Hag's signings are nowhere near good enough to United. Our players always seem a yard or two too slow.
Hopefully with a better structure (Ineos) in place we can help Ten Hag (or a new manager) to identify the right kind of players.
 
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I’ve backed him nearly all season and wanted him to stay on next season, but to be honest I think the correct decision is probably to move on next season. Nagelsman would be my preferred option, but I wouldn’t be fully against Potter if Ineos think he can deliver a long term vision.
I quite like Nagelsmann too. I feel like he's not rated as highly by INEOS though, could be wrong.

My worry with INEOS and Ashworth is they go ultra British, hopefully they won't.
 
Seems like he wants them to play in a certain way, and not give up so many chances.......... but doesn't seem to get that playing in that certain way is giving up chances. The players must be loving it

Then set the team up to do that! He isn't so who's to blame? We know at the minimum if you set them up defensively, they can defend.
 
We normally agree but I’m watching the last couple of months and I don’t know how any player can flourish in this.
The defence are constantly left exposed with players turning and running at them for 90 minutes.
The midfielders are being asking to do an absolutely impossible job, with the instructions for Rashford, Bruno and Garnacho they’re often left two in there versus 4 or even 5.
The forwards are the only ones I can point a finger at and Garnacho is young and generally had a really good season, Bruno’s still our best player, so there’s Rashford and Højlund.

I’m gonna hold off on demanding a massive clear out until I see these lads in a system that isn’t absolute chaos.

The notion that we need a whole new squad is ridiculous, I agree with that. A better manager would have us performing better with this group of players.

However, there are a number of players that I'm absolutely fecking sick of and just want to see the back of. I'm not even talking about the starting 11 necessarily, but in the overall squad. There's definitely players for a new manager to work with, and I'm sure some of the underperforming ones will look more competent in a better tactical system.

A mass summer clear out won't happen, anyway. We'll shift some players on, but nowhere near as many as some seem to think. There will be a bunch that - for me - will most definitely be in last chance saloon under a new manager, though.
 
It’s only a handful of players that remain from previous management. It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee
Not just a handful, of the 16 players that have started more than 10 league games, 9 predate ETH (not including Garnacho as his break came under ETH). Of the others, 2 are teenage youth products and 1 is Jonny Evans. We had a bad squad, we've added more bad players, and have a bad manager. All those things can be and are true.
 
Been saying since the Champions League group that this was looking like our worst ever season post Fergie and it actually has been.

And by a big margin too.

Crazy he is still here. Been delaying the inevitable since like October or November at this stage.
 
Not just a handful, of the 16 players that have started more than 10 league games, 9 predate ETH (not including Garnacho as his break came under ETH). Of the others, 2 are teenage youth products and 1 is Jonny Evans. We had a bad squad, we've added more bad players, and have a bad manager. All those things can be and are true.
I agree that all can be true, if you read through you’ll see that. I’m arguing against the POV that it’s the players primarily. It’s not, we’ve been down that road already.
most players have been busting a got for the manager bar Rashford and Casemiro, so I don’t think it’s widespread lack of effort
 
Thing is, these issues are related, but for some reason a lot of you fail to accept that and would rather make the rebuild more difficult and costly than it needs to be because of reasons that seem to amount to "I don't like players"

What's so problematic with leaving the people Ineos hire to do their jobs? If the players are in fact useless and surplus then Ineos and the incumbent manager will get them out right?
Mate, if all you understood when talking about criticising players was "I don't like him" then we don't have to talk further. Of course all those things are connected and of course we have to trust Ineos to do their job BUT again - this is exactly what we did all those last years - put all our hopes on the next guy to suddenly find a formula how to get something out of that miraculous squat that is Manchester Uniteds. And then it gets "clean slates", every manager "needs to assess his options" bla bla bla. Exactly that is the reason, why we still have players like McTominay or Maguire.

The next manager will face more or less the exact same conditions here - we have a 10 player in Bruno who for all his qualities has a limited skillset, not really suited for todays 10 slots. We have McTominay who has no real upside apart from being tall and physical and having a knack for appearing in the box, can't really play midfield though. We have Mount who is rather lightweight but probably the closest thing to a modern day 10 player, we have Mainoo who is a modern player that probably works well as soon as he gets somebody next to him to take over defensive responsibilty and we have the ghost of former Casemiro. Now go, work out a combination that creates a functional 2024 midfield with that. Considering our Fullbacks are decent to good overall but don't really contribute anything to an attack. Add a backline that consists of big Harry who is a sloth, timid Victor, injured Varane und Tiny Martinez who is really good on the ball. And add an attack consisting of inexperienced Hojlund, a Rashford who is made to think he is the reincarnation of late Ronaldo while not even being very good in dribbling and can't be bothered to work for the team.

As a combination, this is a mess. Naturally, there is a case for every player to be made. But for some it just doesn't make any sense to continue trying to hop around the inevitable. Yes ETH failed the team this year with insisting on his system change. But a system change is inevitable! Eth just didn't do it very well and he didn't cope with the adversity he had to face.

After all, it is all just opinions and all and obviously, I am not able to predict the future better than other posters can but I am sure, as long as we keep dragging those problems outlined above with us, we will not turn into a noteworthy team. The players were left off the hook too many times and too many false dawns have been lauded falsely (like last years league result) and the wrong conclusions have been drawn ("we only need this and that player to compete") - I see only one way, prepare to create a team that will compete in three to four years. That is the best we can do. All attempts to somehow get the best out of what we have right now are doomed to fail and will end in us failing in every aspect - ending with no short-term success nor with a team that is able to compete in 3 to 4 years.
 
OK so who would you want and can't say Erik that is the condition of answering this question
From the managers who I think would be realistic, Luis Enrique and Zidane would be my two stand outs

Believe both have the standing, personality, bollocks, success and ability to take the job on

You? And you can’t say De Zerbi that is the condition of answering this question
 
I don’t understand this disdain. If anything I respect Ten Hag for coming in and seeming like a real manager and not deranged, ego driven or a wet flannel. He’s not been good enough and should probably be leaving soon one way or another, but I don’t despise him because he hasn’t been good enough, especially with the set up we have.

He is not a real manager, all talk and no show. He is deranged and completely ego driven, absolute stubborn fecker.

He created his own downfall as well. He seems stupid and arrogant (football wise) to me, that will cost him the job.

I am bitter because i have to watch this shitshow every week. Next season he would continue with it, just 2-3 different players. We hired him for what he achieved with Ajax and especially the style, and he gives us this absolute experimental crap every week. He never let play like this in his entire coaching career, but thinks he can have us play like this? He is a loon and completely deluded.
 
Been saying since the Champions League group that this was looking like our worst ever season post Fergie and it actually has been.

And by a big margin too.

Crazy he is still here. Been delaying the inevitable since like October or November at this stage.
He should have been replaced after the CL debacle, an elite club acts instantly!
 
I agree that all can be true, if you read through you’ll see that. I’m arguing against the POV that it’s the players primarily. It’s not, we’ve been down that road already.
most players have been busting a got for the manager bar Rashford and Casemiro, so I don’t think it’s widespread lack of effort
Okay, we may be talking at crossed-purposes then. I just see a lot of people acting like there are hardly any remnants of old squads left, when they make up the bulk of our starters still. We've spent a lot since ten Hag got here primarily on making our bench worse and our doctors busier.
 
Certainly agree

We’ve got such a miss match of talent, physicality and attitude.

McT has the power and attitude by way short in abilitiy and speed

Maguire has some physical attributes (strength but no speed) and the right attitude but not the ability (for the game we hope to play)

Eriksen has the ability but zero physical attributes

Rashford has the ability but falls way short in terms of attitude and physicality.

you could go on and on. Throughout the squad. There’s very few that can marry them all up.

we are in desperate need for physical (pace and power) players with the right attitude and a good abilitiy
Great point. I was talking to a friend at work and we actually did a Exel sheet for all the players and then headings for 'physical' 'mental' and 'ability' ... I think we had about (even then debated) 5-7 that could arguably make the cut across all 3. Tough times
 
Mate, if all you understood when talking about criticising players was "I don't like him" then we don't have to talk further. Of course all those things are connected and of course we have to trust Ineos to do their job BUT again - this is exactly what we did all those last years - put all our hopes on the next guy to suddenly find a formula how to get something out of that miraculous squat that is Manchester Uniteds. And then it gets "clean slates", every manager "needs to assess his options" bla bla bla. Exactly that is the reason, why we still have players like McTominay or Maguire.

The next manager will face more or less the exact same conditions here - we have a 10 player in Bruno who for all his qualities has a limited skillset, not really suited for todays 10 slots. We have McTominay who has no real upside apart from being tall and physical and having a knack for appearing in the box, can't really play midfield though. We have Mount who is rather lightweight but probably the closest thing to a modern day 10 player, we have Mainoo who is a modern player that probably works well as soon as he gets somebody next to him to take over defensive responsibilty and we have the ghost of former Casemiro. Now go, work out a combination that creates a functional 2024 midfield with that. Considering our Fullbacks are decent to good overall but don't really contribute anything to an attack. Add a backline that consists of big Harry who is a sloth, timid Victor, injured Varane und Tiny Martinez who is really good on the ball. And add an attack consisting of inexperienced Hojlund, a Rashford who is made to think he is the reincarnation of late Ronaldo while not even being very good in dribbling and can't be bothered to work for the team.

As a combination, this is a mess. Naturally, there is a case for every player to be made. But for some it just doesn't make any sense to continue trying to hop around the inevitable. Yes ETH failed the team this year with insisting on his system change. But a system change is inevitable! Eth just didn't do it very well and he didn't cope with the adversity he had to face.

After all, it is all just opinions and all and obviously, I am not able to predict the future better than other posters can but I am sure, as long as we keep dragging those problems outlined above with us, we will not turn into a noteworthy team. The players were left off the hook too many times and too many false dawns have been lauded falsely (like last years league result) and the wrong conclusions have been drawn ("we only need this and that player to compete") - I see only one way, prepare to create a team that will compete in three to four years. That is the best we can do. All attempts to somehow get the best out of what we have right now are doomed to fail and will end in us failing in every aspect - ending with no short-term success nor with a team that is able to compete in 3 to 4 years.
I hear you. Revisiting my point though, say ETH got rid of Rashford for something like 60 million - which is what a large portion of redcafe wanted. Who comes on and scores all the goals that lead to a somewhat decent season and gave ETH the platform for his second season?

When I talk about making a rebuild harder than it needs to be, these are the things I'm taking about. I've always said on here, this scorched earth mentality makes no sense to me. You don't feck up your prospects for success in the next season by selling all your players just because they underperformed under underperforming managers. You hope that the manager and team you brought in are good enough to identify who's good and who is surplus. That's why they get paid millions right?
 
The tweets have been deleted but I'm intrigued about what they said?
I believe he said Ten Hag is going, decision been made for a few weeks. Believes it will be “mutual”, INEOS sounding out managers which is why there is a big push all of a sudden to get Ashworth and co over the line
 
Just a matter of time until he is sacked. Cant come soon enough, absolute pain with every passing hour.

He is an absolute dickhead and a cnut to boot. Get this useless prick out of here. I felt a bit sorry for Moyes, not for him though.
Wow... what did he do? Not good enough, perhaps. But he doesnt deserve these type of abuse.
 
I'd love to see vs Coventry:

Onana

AWB
Kwambala
Maguire
Amass

Mount
Eriksen
Mainoo

Fernandes
Amad

Hojlund

But we won't.

We'll see the same XI that started vs Bournemouth and the same tactics where Casemiro and mainoo will leave the midfield ludicrously wide open. It's so depressing.
 
Shots conceded is the dumbest conversation going at the moment.

What about the cause, why do a large percentage of our players give the ball away so often?

How come nobody is brave enough to pass out from the back?

was only when Amad came on that we looked like we could keep and move the ball around in Bournemouths half.

Anyone remember the last 15 minutes v the dippers when we just kept booting it out from the back?

No. Let’s chimp on about shots conceded. We hear it on the telly so it must be smart heh?

its not dumb , you sre hearing it so much because its never happened before. Onana is on track to have faced more shits than any goal keeper in the PL.

As for your point, There are teams with less average possession than us that concede less shots. So yes sure we would concede less shots if we kept the ball better but also we should concede less shots even with the inability to keep the ball.
 
Only 2 players have been ruinously shit all season and ETH is at fault for them being the second and third names on his team sheet all season when fit. (Rashford and Casemiro)
 
Can anyone explain what his system is in attack and in defense?

The players looked leggy and lost out there at times. Sure, some of it is just having overpaid, careless squad and few of them with low football IQ. But, some of this is surely the manager's instructions and whatever training is being conducted.
 
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