sport news The great Manchester United inquest - Erik Ten Hag's flops just keep plumbing ... trends now
Manchester United's season plunged to new depths on Wednesday night when Erik ten Hag’s side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup following a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle.
The result came just three days after Man United were brushed aside by neighbours Manchester City by the same scoreline, with the Red Devils losing successive home games by three or more goals for the first time since 1962.
Ten Hag is facing mounting pressure after overseeing the club’s worst start to a season in six decades, after losing eight of their opening 15 matches of a season.
Man United will look to respond against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, with the club lying eighth in the table, eight points off the Champions League places.
Here, Mail Sport's experts answer key questions on Man United’s malaise, how much Ten Hag is to blame and what the Red Devils’ prospects look like for the remainder of the season.
Manchester United slumped to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup
The result increased pressure on manager Erik ten Hag after a dreadful start to the season
THE REPORTER - CHRIS WHEELER
Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…
A club in disarray from top to bottom, sleepwalking into another crisis as a result of absent owners, sub-standard leadership, a manager who is losing control and players who don’t seem to care.
How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?
That’s three questions! Erik ten Hag has to take a lot of the blame. After 18 months, this is his team now and United have spent £400million putting it together. The Glazers didn’t let Tino Livramento waltz through to set up the first goal for Newcastle. The players are failing Ten Hag, though, just as they did with all the other managers before him.
He lasts as long as United’s nerve holds. It’s always hard to say, but the fact we are airing these questions openly now shows he’s in trouble. And, thirdly, there’s always someone better to do the job until they get it. Old Trafford has become a graveyard for managers. We’ve seen them come and go over the last decade.
Even legendary coaches like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho turn into basket cases at United.
Ten Hag has been able to shape the squad over 18 months so must take a lot of the blame
Legendary coach Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho were worn down while at Man United
Where will they finish this season?...
My head says seventh because there are (at least) six better teams than United in the Premier League. My heart says eighth because I don’t want to cover the Conference League next season.
If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?
An old VW Golf convertible. Sexy in the 90s but has seen better days thanks to some not-so-careful owners. Oh, and the roof leaks.
Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…
Christmas is coming! No, even Sir Alex Ferguson needed time to get it right. In his second full season, United finished 11th, sandwiched between Millwall and Wimbledon.
THE OLD ENEMY - MARTIN KEOWN
Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…
This is a sinking ship taking on more and more water with each defeat, having suffered their eighth of the season in that utterly miserable showing against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?
The current failings of one of the world’s biggest clubs are a collective responsibility of the staff and players of the first team.
But it is the manager who, with his influence on selection, signings and tactics, takes the ultimate control and blame. Ten Hag knows the rules and realises he is perilously close to losing his job. I’ve not seen any evidence of progress in their performances this season. There’s been a distinct lack of unity from the team and an absence of a clear vision from the manager.
There can be no long-term future for Ten Hag. He must simply go from game to game to determine if he stays or goes, and that makes Fulham on Saturday lunchtime a huge match.
Manchester United's five wins in the Premier League this season have not been convincing
Fans must cling to the hope injury hit players like Lisandro Martinez can return and impress
Where will they finish this season?
Eighth is the position they occupy and, in truth, it is hard to see them finishing higher than that in their current state.
Even the five Premier League wins they’ve secured have hardly been convincing. They needed two stoppage-time goals to beat Brentford 2-1. They had to come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Nottingham Forest. They edged past Wolves, Burnley and Sheffield United, all of whom were disappointed not to leave with at least a draw.
Without a monumental upturn in form, it is hard to see United cracking the top six, let alone the top four.
If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?
I’ll refer you to my first answer — they’re a sinking ship listing in the port of Salford.
Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…
United fans can only cling to the hope that a boatload of injury-free players turn up soon to give them options, with influential defenders Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez among those sidelined.
THE UNITED FAN - ANTHONY HAY
Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…
Martin’s right. A sinking ship.
How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?
The responsibility falls on the manager despite the players’ incompetence.
Ten Hag has been backed in the transfer market to the tune of £400m and is failing to get the best out of high-profile signings such as Antony, Casemiro and Mason Mount.
It looks like he has lost the dressing room, which means his sacking is inevitable. Zinedine Zidane, Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Antonio Conte should all be considered.
Antony Hay believes Ten Hag has lost the dressing room and his sacking his now inevitable
Ten Hag has been backed but has failed to get the best out of major signings such as Antony
Mason Mount arrived for £60m in the summer but has failed to make a significant impact
Where will they finish this season?
A top-four finish already looks out of reach, so the best United can hope for is fifth spot.
If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?
A stalling three-wheeler
