Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage believes Manchester United will forever be playing catch-up under Erik ten Hag.
United have had a mixed start to the season, winning just two games in the opening five Premier League games. They are already six points behind leaders and rivals Manchester City, while their start in the Europa League did not get off to the best start after a 1-1 home draw to Twente.
Despite the club spending £180million on Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Savage believes United have continued to disappoint. “Manager Erik ten Hag never seems to be more than 90 minutes away from being under pressure, and this is another big week for him – Tottenham at home followed by a tricky Europa League trip to FC Porto, one of the strongest teams in the competition,” Savage wrote in his Mirror column.
“Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to have got the structure of the club in good order – but on the pitch, which is where it counts most, United are still miles off winning their first title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. In some ways, they have got the recruitment right by going for younger signings who will have a sell-on value if they prove good value for money.
“If a club’s place in their league table is largely reflected by its playing budget, as it should be, then United are still coming up well short. Ten Hag can point to two trophies in as many seasons, and I am glad the board backed him to carry on after that FA Cup triumph against Manchester City four months ago. But are United making progress or is Ten Hag in danger of stumbling across the same pitfalls as last season?”
Savage also highlighted what he believes to be missing for the Reds. ”I’m not sure United have got the balance right in midfield yet,” he added. “Kobbie Mainoo did unbelievably well to break through and become an England regular last season, but he needs a runner alongside him.
“Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Ugarte all have their virtues, but United are still too easy to play through and they need more mobility in the middle. And with all due respect, when you go 1-0 up at home against the likes of Twente in Europe, you should be putting teams to the sword.
“That 1-1 draw was a disappointing result and a frustrating performance and Sam Lammers’ equaliser for the Dutch side was too easy – he sliced straight through the middle with no resistance. It’s not going to get any easier for Ten Hag this week. Tottenham and Porto will be big tests. And with celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Fergie’s Treble season coming up, it would be a terrible shame if the party fell flat.”