I think a large reason for this is that none of our midfielders can carry the ball. So if the players can't do that, but are still keeping possession it means that once they receive the pass from the defense, they have to pass it back to a defender to keep the opposition press from winning it back. This is a micro improvement from some of our usual midfield who can't even do that well, but still lacks in getting us to stay up the pitch or creating chances. I would say that only Eriksen provides that safe passing option for our midfield, but also can't carry the ball. Casemiro and Bruno can do neither from their position.
You mix that in with Martial not being able to provide the wingers/fullbacks a runner to stretch the defense, nor even provide what he usually does in holding up the ball and it's tough for us to create from the back or even get the entire side further forward where Eriksen or Bruno can do something on the ball.
And that's with having two widemen who are not trustworthy in providing that themselves. Rashford is more of a moments player now, and Antony provides what our midfield should provide, but provides no attacking threat. Hence if you pass it off to them, Rashford's only weapons are to try to dribble past multiple players to shoot or pass it back, when he actually is getting the basics right. Antony will provide a wide option where he will dribble 10-20 yards, but then pass it back. Martial doesn't help Antony or Rashford. Antony doesn't have the capacity to create something for Rashford or Antony. Rashford doesn't want to create something for Antony or Rashford. Best case scenario is that Antony improves in his shooting so that he can provide a Rashford like mini contribution to the final third (provide for himself).
What a mess. At this point, from an attacking point of view I'm actually more satisfied with my defenders than I am with the midfield or attackers. Meaning with Ten Hag's instructions I can only picture our defenders doing their job right. Onana might have to take more risks with his drifting forward in order to get our attack to be more potent.