PORTO — It was sticky, foggy and Manchester-level wet in Porto on Wednesday as Erik ten Hag and his beleaguered team arrived for what should have been a routine early Europa League tie.
Instead, the uncomfortable environment was suitably apt for the predicament the under-pressure Dutchman finds himself in.
Officially, the club will tell you the result in Portugal on Thursday night will not affect whether Ten Hag is shown the door. Common sense tells you otherwise.
Should Manchester United’s dismal run of one win in their last nine European ties continue in the Estadio do Dragao, co-owners Ineos will be starting to plan for their latest round of axe-wielding.
Not the greatest orator in the game, it is when the chips are down that Ten Hag appears most passionate, defiantly protesting he is the man to resurrect this sleeping giant of English football.
After beating Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final, arguably one of the best performances of his United tenure, Ten Hag knew the club’s hierarchy were actively speaking to other managerial candidates, but he kept his dignity, pointed to his record of winning trophies everywhere he has been, helping him earn another shot at being a long-term United success.
Like anyone trying to win over a growing army of naysayers, Ten Hag stuck to his party line in Porto.
“We are going to make a success from the season,” he said. “I’ve proven in my career that always I will win. The last six years I have eight trophies.”
For now, repeating that trophy haul like a wellness guru trying to rid us of our bad habits will fall on deaf ears, having overseen United’s joint-worst start to a Premier League season.
And not even any old victory will do on the banks of the Douro. The manner of the success must offer some hope that the United of old is not completely dead yet.
Other than Bayern Munich, a look at the other teams United have failed to beat during their recent disastrous European run – FC Twente, Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Sevilla – tells you Victor Bruno’s Porto do not represent opposition United can be confident of besting.
Something has to give in how United approach the game. Having Rasmus Hojlund fit can give United a focal point, with Joshua Zirkzee struggling to impact.
With Manuel Ugarte gaining fitness all the time and Kobbie Mainoo fit to travel, Ten Hag finally has a midfield where each part complements the other. It is up to him to work out how to unlock that potential.
Some element of control has to be restored. United have been a transitional team for too long, one that can be exhilarating when on song, but vulnerable in the extreme when passes start to go astray, as they often do. Across Ten Hag’s two-and-a-bit years in charge, United’s average possession in the Premier League is 52.2 per cent, less than six other clubs.
The excuses are wearing very thin indeed. Having spent over £600m on players, this is Ten Hag’s team. The injuries that derailed last season are subsiding, meaning – in his hour of need – he can name near enough his strongest team.
“We are mad, mad with ourselves, especially when you lose a game like Sunday,” Ten Hag added. “But you have to deal with it. We are mad, and from the madness we have to get motivation.”
“On the pitch we have leadership skills and they have to stand up. Everyone has to take responsibility, but that starts with me as the manager.”
With a rope around his neck, starting to dominate matches again really is the only way out. Defeat here could be curtains, but an unconvincing win will not win many over either.
His best players are fit. The components of a successful team are in place. Now time for the manager to show 825 days in the job, more than most get at any level, have not been for nothing.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3Ic1vxF
Post a Comment