Manchester United have brought in 16 players under Erik ten Hag, including six loan signings and two free transfers.
A third-place finish to qualify for the Champions League and the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle, a first trophy in six years, represented a positive start to his Old Trafford reign.
The goodwill it engendered, however, has evaporated in United’s worst start to a campaign for more than 60 years.
Eight defeats in United’s opening 15 games of the season have left Ten Hag fighting to save his job with his judgment in the transfer market questioned.
Here we rank Ten Hag’s signings from best to worst.
1. Lisandro Martinez – £55m
The success of Martinez established Ten Hag’s authority early after the disastrous start against Brighton and Brentford. Martinez proved a brilliant technician, composed, good in the tackle with a terrific left foot. Though short for a centre-back he rarely loses a battle, which last season brought order and calm to United’s back line. His absence through injury is one of the reasons for United’s stunning decline.
2. Casemiro – £70m
A big number given his age, but his experience and influence gave United much-needed heft and stability at the base of midfield. His confidence quickly spread to others. He reads the game brilliantly and his distribution is sharp. He even has a goal or two in him. However, his 31 years appear to be catching up with him. He began to run out of gas and lose his way in games and has yet to hit last season’s early heights this term.
3. Rasmus Hojlund – £72m
Though we await his first Premier League goal, he has three in the Champions League, where he has looked his most comfortable. United have yet to exploit his pace and left-footed bias. He has shown in flashes what a player he might be. Held back by the dismal standard of United’s attacking play. He needs feeding from the wings and suffers from the fashion for playing left-footed wingers on the right and vice versa. Too much cutting inside starves him of quick ball.
4. Christian Eriksen – free
Since he cost nothing and United were desperate to add skill and vision in midfield, Eriksen was a popular addition. Keeps the ball well and his passing is still first class. But at 31, he does not have the stamina to get about the pitch. He is a natural 10 shoehorned into a deeper role, which leaves him vulnerable to more athletic opponents.
5. Sofyan Amrabat – loan (£8.5m)
Shipped in at the last minute at the end of the window and injured to boot. Amrabat had a difficult introduction as a stand-in left-back and suffered against Manchester City from the general confusion in United’s malfunctioning midfield. Had his best 45 minutes as a substitute for Casemiro against Newcastle, adding urgency and some welcome forward thrust with his running and passing from deep. If Ten Hag is to find a solution to this crisis, Amrabat might be central to it.
6. Tyrell Malacia – £14.7m
A surprise addition since right-back was thought to be a more pressing concern. Though injury-plagued he has was a capable understudy last season to Luke Shaw. He is quick, good on the ball, loves a tackle and is not overawed by the setting. Given a run in the team he could develop into a sound investment.
7. Andre Onana – £47.2m
No doubt about Onana’s feet, which have improved United’s ability to playout from the back. However, he has been less persuasive with the gloves, making a series of expensive gaffes. The penalty save against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League in a much improved display has settled him considerably. United won’t realise his value until the outfield players step-up and some kind of order in front of him is restored.
8. Mason Mount – £60m
Yet to establish any kind of rhythm. A victim to a degree of the primacy of Bruno Fernandes as a ten, the position that suits both best. Peak Mount offers a goal threat as well as industry. He comes alive higher up the pitch and is less effective in a deeper role where he can be crowded out. Will be better for the 90 minutes against Newcastle, where in the second half, at least, his energy and drive were seen to greater effect.
9. Antony – £88.3m
The club and the stage appear just too big for the Brazilian trickster. Had his moments in his first season with match-winning strikes against Charlton in the Carabao Cup and Barcelona in the Europa League but has neither the pace nor the composure to make a lasting impact and has mostly buckled under the weight of a price tag that looks absurdly high. Moreover, he has become a bellwether for his principal sponsor, Ten Hag, their reputations and performance arcs now inextricably linked.
10. Marcel Sabitzer – loan
Difficult to assess his contribution in the absence of a sustained run. United might have made the move permanent had they met the 19m Euros fee demanded by Bayern Munich. Has settled into the Dortmund midfield well and looked sharp in the Champions League win at Newcastle last week.
11. Jonny Evans – free
A 35-year-old gap-plugger who inexplicably started against City, another selection that hinted at Ten Hag’s distressed thinking. That said, played the pass of the season for United’s goal of the season scored on the volley by Fernandes at Burnley. A rare high point.
12. Sergio Reguilon – loan
A left-back with a left foot, which is a start. One of the many victims of injury this term but looked better against Newcastle. Gets forward and runs hard.
13. Altay Bayindir – £4.3m
The 25-year-old keeper is United’s first Turkish player, signed from Fenerbahce in the summer on a four-year deal. Still to make his debut.
14. Martin Dubravka – loan
Made two appearances, both in the Carabao Cup, before returning to Newcastle in January. Returned to Old Trafford with Newcastle on Wednesday and played in the 3-0 victory.
15. Jack Butland – loan
The boyhood United fan joined from parent club Crystal Palace as replacement for Dubravka. Moved to Rangers on a permanent deal in the summer after failing to appear for United.
16. Wout Weghorst – loan
Comfortably among the worst footballers to wear the red shirt, up there with Ralph Milne, Alan Foggon, Ian Ure and Bebe. The failed Burnley striker cut short his loan at Besiktas to join United. Scored twice in 20 appearances. Presently on loan at Hoffenheim. Ten Hag loved him, which, perhaps, says it all.
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