Manchester United supporters endured another day of frustration following a disappointing 2-1 defeat against West Ham at the London Stadium.
It is a result that has compounded further misery on Erik ten Hag, with his side unbelievably sitting 14th in the Premier League table heading into November.
Unsurprisingly, supporter frustration is at an all-time high during his tenure, with a large proportion calling for an immediate change in the hot seat at Old Trafford.
With much to digest, here are our five talking points from Sunday’s fourth defeat of the domestic calendar.
Where have all the goals gone?
Ten Hag’s side has recorded eight goals in nine outings during the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
To put this in perspective, only Crystal Palace (17th) and Southampton (20th) have managed less with a tally of six apiece.
Sunday’s defeat was the finest example of how there is only so much a coach can do with the Reds squandering an abundance of opportunities.
From bruising the woodwork to missing open goals or inexplicitly smashing efforts high or wide, that team could have played for 90 minutes in the opening half and still not scored.
Ten Hag and his coaching team cultivated a suitable winning strategy, and the players let them down. But, as is always the case, the manager is the one who will receive the ultimate punishment.
An unacceptable number of victories
United’s latest defeat meant it was one win from eight in all competitions for the one-time perennial powerhouse of England.
We’ve already touched on the nine Premier League outings above. But three wins, a goal difference of minus three, and an inability to capitalise on winning scenarios have become normality.
Furthermore, when you elaborate on the season performance, United are without a win in three Europa League outings – extending their winless European record to a staggering year.
It is two wins from 18 visits to the capital, and quite clearly, this is anything but acceptable.
Interestingly, these players have not downed tools
Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, the United faithful have become accustomed to buying into a managerial vision before ultimately waving goodbye to their man.
A consistent trait throughout this period has been a collection of overpaid prima donnas cutting the image of spoilt children.
Roy Keane famously stated that “Leopards don’t change their spots” during the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – referencing the first-team treatment towards Jose Mourinho.
However, this is not the case with today’s class, and that was on show during yesterday’s defeat.
Despite undeniable shortcomings and an inability to carry their hard work over the line, the group respects their management team – highlighted by their continued weekly efforts.
At the very least, this confirms a positive mentality within the first-team squad and bodes well for its continued development.
Another failing of the individuals behind VAR
When VAR Michael Oliver advised David Coote to take another look at the incident between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings, there was an immediate acceptance that West Ham would receive a penalty.
Buy why?
Was there a coming together between the players? Yes. Does contact immediately designate a foul? No – this is a contact sport.
How can such inconsistency exist within the framework of a system devised to alleviate issues on the field?
Referees’ chief Howard Webb has stated he does not want the video official to intervene with subjective calls. Instead, VAR should be utilised for a clear and obvious error.
However, as we have seen in multiple cases, another incident of micromanagement surfaced, and the incident was re-refereed.
In my opinion, Coote felt obligated to agree and crumbled to the pressure placed upon him by Oliver. A revision within the education structure at PGMOL is required, and individuals need to have their responsibilities revoked.
Is Ten Hag out of time at Manchester United?
As I stated post-game, we can choose to sit and lament the decision of an inadequate referring team for days, but that penalty should not have held a bearing on the outcome.
With respect to our hosts, United should have been out of sight when heading into the dressing rooms for the half-time break.
The manager is not responsible for Diogo Dalot’s shocking miss, Alejandro Garnacho’s erratic finishing, or our captain’s inability to guide an unchallenged header home from six yards.
But he is the man leading the side’s underwhelming fall from grace, and the person to shoulder the blame of defeat.
Having spent time chatting with individuals within Old Trafford over the weekend, I can confirm that Ineos want their manager to succeed. However, there is an understanding that results are well below expectations.
The resolve of this best-in-class backroom team is now facing its greatest test in their short tenure.
How do you feel about the future of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United?
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