Manchester United’s start to the season has left a lot to desire after winning just two of their five games.
Their biggest test yet will be against Tottenham at Old Trafford, followed by a trip to Portugal to face FC Porto in the Europa League. Despite being just six games in, Erik ten Hag has already come under fire for his team’s performances.
United were held to a 1-1 draw against Twente in their return to the Europa League after an early exit from the Champions League last term. After signing five players in the summer transfer window, there has been some improvements but they still have a long way to go.
A number of United supporters commented on our writer Tyrone Marshall’s article about how the outcome for Erik ten Hag is beginning to feel inevitable. Below, MEN Sport has picked out what some readers had to say.
Chungu: “He’s lacking experience. The only way out and solution Man United has is to bring in Simone Inzaghi or Tuchel then progress will surely come.”
Sidhu48: “The end result – United will be a mid-table team at best for at least another season or two or longer if ETH sticks around.”
RealRedManc: “INEOS decided to give him a chance, because they couldn’t find a better replacement. I think this team will get better. I’d rather see Bruno rested, especially as we have a fit and ready replacement in Mason Mount. But he must have his reasons for continually playing him. Ugarte could improve given more game time, and De Ligt is already starting to look the business.”
Dralimo: “Time to let ETH go, he is not capable of achieving European or EPL success with United.”
TedTheRed: “Its inevitable – fire him and lets get on with it.”
Abbey Hey: “There is no energy and drive in the team, zombies most of the time. There are 7 players with some go in them but they are held back because of his so-called game plan.”
Kadir2355: “Erik ten Hag cannot continue as manager and should be let go, to put it mildly. He has lost the trust of the players and cannot get the best out of them. It is still early days so sacking him will be useful to find a new manager and start the season on a progressive path.”
Utd201: “You could say the same about any manager at United. All those that have followed Sir Alex Ferguson have ben under huge pressure right from the off. A few bad results and the media are on his back. In his first season he finished 3rd and got to two cup finals, winning one of them. Last season was undermined by so many injuries but he still won the FA Cup and beat LFC and City in doing so. There has been progression this season with more chances created and less conceded – far less – and more control in games. However, another defeat in the next 3 games and it will become toxic for Ten Hag.”
MuBoy: “The ball is still in ETH’s court, just about – and all he needs to do is start to get a proper tune out of the players at his disposal. All managers are in that position, surely, and that’s how it should be. Prove yourself or get moved on. The key difference this season compared to the last two seasons is that he has better players to work with in my opinion and, therefore, the level of expectation is rightly higher than it was. In my opinion, we do look better than last season, generally, so ‘progress’ is arguably being made – but it’s just not good enough. So, given the higher expectations that are rightly in place now, we’re probably in ‘Fergie time’ as far as ETH as manager is concerned. But we all know what can happen in Fergie time and let’s hope a miracle lies just around the corner.”
Devils Elbow: “What goes around comes around, we gave Liverpool stick when they went almost thirty years without winning the league now we are heading in the same direction. Managers in and out the door, player’s the same, some better, some no better or worse. It’s time to stop and put things right get rid of the manager. He has had more chances than other managers at United while some are not even getting 12 months to prove what they could have done. Today we have no style and no class and no chance of Champions League football.”