OPINION - What Erik Ten Hag should do to get his team winning again

PART 1 - Wrong Substitutions by ETH

It was a tough afternoon yesterday for all Manchester United fans worldwide as we watched in disbelief our dear team losing the game yet again in the dead of time.

📈 Since 2022/23 campaign, Manchester United have lost more premier league games (6) due to goals scored from 90th minutes upwards than any other team in the Premier league. In the past 30 seasons, this situation had only happened twice to United.[@OptaJoe] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/GumdE0FuX5

— UTDQuarters (@UTDQuarters) August 24, 2024

 

It was a recurring issue last campaign and with the level of new defensive covers brought in this summer, we all hoped it was a thing of the past. Here we are again.

 

To win a game, bulk of the responsibility rest on the shoulder of the players designated to defend. Last week against Fulham, the boss brought off Harry Maguire who was arguably the best player on the pitch in that fixture. He repeated same fit this weekend by withdrawing the England international and fielding new signing, Matthijs De Ligt. A lot of football experts around the world sees this substitutions as a wrong approach.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said withdrawing Harry Maguire yesterday might just have cost United the late defeat; "If he'd been on the pitch, maybe he would've been the one leading and vocalising to people to get into positions". Former Chelsea player, Joe Cole also said Maguire would have organized his defense to prevent the Brighton second goal.

Rio Ferdinand & Joe Cole discussing after the game.

Matthijs De Ligt is a top defender and I personally support including him in the starting XI on match days, however, if a player isn't having a bad game and doesn't deserve to be replaced, I think he should remain on the pitch. A lot of people are calling for the Netherlands international to start against Liverpool on Sunday, I personally think that will be the biggest mistake Erik Ten Hag will make this season if that happens. A tough opponent like Liverpool will only expose Matthijs De Ligt and he will get discovered and figured out by other teams in the Premier League.

I will suggest ETH starts him against Southampton the week after the Liverpool game and gradually integrate him into the United style of play.

Also, withdrawing Bruno Fernandez and introducing Scott Mc Tominay was a wrong call by ETH. The Portuguese international was a constant threat assisting the later disallowed Alejandro Garnacho goal and was close to scoring himself on several occasion. I think Ten Hag was trying to prove a point to Napoli that Scott is a player that is counted on at United and if they want him, they should increase their bid. Funny as that might sound, that might just be it. ETH had zero reason withdrawing Bruno Fernandez.

PART 2 — Our Attackers Misfiring Problems 

Mason Mount 

Mason Mount was arguably one of our best attackers during the first half. He was constantly pressing for the ball and making multiple defensive runs. However, I think a partnership with Bruno will almost never succeed at United. ETH should either play Mason or play Bruno.

Our attackers failing to convert chances was the highlight of our 2023/24 season. Sadly, at just Match Week 2, we are already topping the chart for the most big chances missed.

Manchester United top the chart for the most chances missed - 2024/25 season.

I personally don't know why ETH continue to start Marcus Rashford ahead of Garnacho who has proved very productive over the past few seasons. Marcus Rashford at 27 will continue to misfire unless he works on himself to make better decisions. He is past the age any coach can influence. 3 or 4 managers have had their sessions with him and all proved futile, so how many more?

Marcus Rashford 

I will recommend Alejandro Garnacho always start at LW and ETH should focus more on bringing on Rashford as an impact substitute or start him as the main striker.

Amad Diallo also needs to work on his decisions, he had a chance to create an attacking threat by laying a through ball for Rashford or Bruno, the footballing world were surprised by how he chose to lay the pass. About a minute later, Danny Welbeck put the host ahead. If we had taken our chances and made better decisions, that could have changed the course of the game.

Amad Diallo poor decision 

I personally think Ruud Van Nistelrooy have got a lot of work to do. Players needs to recognize how not to get caught in an offside position. Joshua Zirkzee interfered with what looked like a Garnacho winner late into the second half. Marcus Rashford was countlessly offside during the first half. Lot of works needs to be done by Ruud.

Manchester United new set piece coach, Andreas Georgson also needs to work on the positioning of United players when defending. The second goal was completely avoidable if we had players in the correct positions. 

GOAL 🥅 Brighton 2-1

João Pedro might just have won it for Brighton at the dead of time.#BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/JLKxHXGshg

— UTDQuarters (@UTDQuarters) August 24, 2024

 

Conclusively, I will recommend he protects Matthijs De Ligt and not throw him on the pitch for the Liverpool game. Give him a full 90mins vs Southampton and onwards.