Manchester United was hoping the arrival of Erik ten Hag as the club’s new manager would spark a change in fortunes for the English Premier League giants. But following a turbulent summer and two shocking results at the start of the league campaign, it looks like Ten Hag has a massive job on his hands to take the Red Devils back to the top.
A Tough Watch For United Fans
Even with the changes over the summer and the departure of interim boss Ralf Rangnick, few would have predicted defeats in United’s first two games of the season against Brighton and Brentford. United, who according to the football tips for today will question whether they can make the top six, were expected to be competing for at least a top-four finish this season. There is, of course, plenty of the campaign to go and they might well change their fortunes. But with due respect to both Brighton and Brentford, United supporters would have been expecting to ease their way into the new season with a couple of early wins in those first two outings.
Not only was it the defeats but the manner of them that will have been most troubling to Ten Hag and his new management team at Old Trafford. A 2-1 defeat to Brighton, in which the Seagulls scored an own goal to aid United, was a dismal start to the season for the Reds Devils in front of their home fans. That proved to be nothing compared to a 4-0 hammering in their first game on the road at Brentford. It meant a United player was yet to score after those first two matches and the pressure was already starting to mount on Ten Hag.
United Have Players To Turn Things Around
While United have been off the pace compared to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool in recent years, they do have players that can make them competitive once again. Bruno Fernandes lost his way a bit last season but the Portuguese international is still regarded as one of the best players in the squad. Christian Eriksen was brought in on a free transfer over the summer after impressing at Brentford in the Premier League last season. There is no doubting the Danish player’s capabilities at this level and the 30-year-old should prove to be a great addition to the squad over the course of the campaign.
Ten Hag will be looking to both Eriksen and Fernandes as a base to build a team around in the middle of the park. With their passing ability, they can create chances for those higher up the field. The issues for United have tended to be at the back in recent years, with skipper Harry Maguire getting more than his fair share of criticism for United’s shortcomings in defense.
There is clearly work to be done at Old Trafford on improving the squad but perhaps the doom and gloom of a 4-0 loss at Brentford can be the catalyst of a revival for a club once so used to sitting top of the pile.
