MANCHESTER UNITED’S struggles have led to questions over whether Erik ten Hag is the right manager for the club
And that is what our SunSport experts have been discussing on the Big Debate.
Last Saturday’s win over Fulham papered over the cracks after back-to-back 3-0 defeats by Manchester City and Newcastle.
However, Ten Hag remains on thin ice at Old Trafford, and one bad result could lead to a dramatic mood swing.
But our Man Utd correspondent Neil Custis believes the Dutchman’s exploits from last season mean he has plenty of credit in the bank.
Custis explained: “I think what he did last season put a lot of credit in the bank, he had a fantastic first season. So I think that is keeping him going.
“Currently they’re just staggering over the line in terms of the victories they have had.
“You know late goals, injury time goals and penalty saves which shows the spirit, but they are nowhere near as good as they were last season in terms of playing.
“I’ve seen this with a multitude of managers where when it starts to unravel, it unravels very fast and managers struggle to keep reins on it and stop it going to a complete mess.
“So I think it would be ridiculous to get rid of him, I think he’s the right man for the job, but I think he has a tough few weeks coming along.”
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Football Editor Charlie Wyett agrees that Ten Hag should get until at least the end of the season – but does not believe the Dutchman will stay long term.
He also argues last season’s third-placed finish made United look better than they actually are.
Wyett said: “They say the league table doesn’t lie but I think sometimes it does. I don’t think Man Utd were the third best team last year, I thought Newcastle were a better team.
“And I think the problem by finishing third was Man Utd fans hoping to move on and maybe finish second, realistically not too many expected them to win the league, but they’ve gone backwards.
“He’s had 18 months there, £400million, ten permanent signings (and) only a couple of them have really worked.”
So what is the problem for the Red Devils?
Some have pinned it on the owners, but both Custis and Wyett agree that the real problem at the club is the lack of a striker at the top of their game.
Man Utd spent £72m on Rasmus Hojlund over the summer, but Wyett they could have signed Harry Kane a couple of seasons ago – if they’d have pushed for it.
They have to stick with this guy because I think his ideas, his principles, his determination is right
Neil Custis
United’s forwards are struggling, with Marcus Rashford in a bad run of form, Antony not producing and Jadon Sancho exiled.
Custis said: “I think Rashford has just lost it. I’m not sure how well he is being advised, I’m not sure whether he is getting a little bit star-struck or something like that.
“There is a fantastic player there – the best at Man Utd – but if you’re relying on Rashford to win you the league then you’re not going to win the league.
“He’s still a great player but I think there are things happening off the field or a distraction which is not helping.”
Custis adds that part of the reason for Ten Hag’s appointment was to quell the dominance of player power at the club, citing Jose Mourinho‘s feud with Paul Pogba as an example.
And our man reckons that Mourinho was spot on with his analysis of Anthony Martial, who Custis describes by saying: “I’ve never seen anyone look more disinterested in playing football than Martial.
“Look at the winning goal Bruno Fernandes scored at Fulham, look at Martial’s reaction; not bothered, while everybody else is excited.”
Wyett agrees that the player issues at the club are no easy fix, but predicts Ten Hag to be gone by the end of season.
He said: “My prediction is I don’t think he’ll be the right man, equally at the moment I think he still deserves time. We need to see whether he can get the best out of them (summer signings).
“Players like Hojlund will be good in a couple of years time but he’s not the type of number nine they needed now because they needed someone with experience.
“I think it’s going to be a tough season for United but he deserves a chance.”
Custis argues another debilitating factor this season has been injuries to key players, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez.
Our man hopes Ten Hag is still at Old Trafford by the end of the season – for three key reasons for this.
He said: “It is a worry when I look at it. There is a lack of connection between the players and a lack of connection between the manager and the players but what do you do?
“If I say to you Ten Hag is sacked tomorrow who do you appoint? Everytime they turn a corner they end up back at square one.
“So they have to stick with this guy because I think his ideas, his principles, his determination is right.”
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