Football is a game that divides and conquers, with an array of media opinions and compelling talking points that keep the wheel moving – Manchester United are the league leaders in this field.
From amusing Paddy Power social stunts to sensationalism-laden hit pieces – every one of them is trying to graft a slice of the Mancunian pie.
As Henry Winter said on a recent episode of the Theatre of Red podcast: “Any sports editor of a newspaper will tell you they will get twice as much reaction from a Manchester United piece than from any other club. Even Manchester United in dark times generates so much interest.”
With such, an individual can easily get lost in opinion and confused with their own.
I am not claiming to be a relic, although I am peering nervously at a significant birthday. But I have been attending Old Trafford since the late 80s, and my club has always been a media cash cow.
Therein lies a significant problem.
Where I grew up reading the back pages of the daily tabloids, my children receive their news in their pockets from a catalogue of enthusiastic social media personalities vying for attention.
An able-minded individual can see through the nonsense, but it becomes harder to decipher legitimate news when the same faces appear on once-reliable television sources.
Whether or not Erik ten Hag is the manager of the 20-time English champions is irrelevant.
I know that may seem preposterous, but regardless of who is sitting in the hot seat, negativity sells, and these people will do their best to generate their favourite form of traction.
Consider a scenario where the Dutchman walks away from the North West tomorrow
In all likelihood, Ruud van Nistelrooy would step into his shoes and receive the mandatory ‘new-manager-bounce’. The Old Trafford faithful would embrace a new dawn, and we may even enjoy a positive run.
However, like all businesses in transition, an inevitable period of frustration will surface, and the same bludgers will emerge with a brand-new version of damning events.
It is undeniable and the meat and gravy for every content creator – paid or unpaid – on the face of the planet.
Is this a roundabout way of relinquishing blame from Ten Hag? Most certainly not.
The mighty Reds deserve to be fighting for elite honours on a perennial basis. At least, that’s what most of us believe, having enjoyed the remarkable reign of Sir Alex Ferguson.
It is hardly acceptable to finish with a negative goal difference and struggle to decipher whether Jekyll or Hyde will run out of the tunnel at the weekend.
Ultimately, this is the role of the manager, and he is the one who will endure the wrath.
But, with nothing but respect for every supporter on the planet, there are ways and means to highlight your concerns, and some decorum can go a long way in more than football.
Before Sunday’s travesty at Old Trafford, I spoke and wrote in great detail about this side being within touching distance of something good – maybe great.
Paint whatever picture you like, but a mammoth creation of big chances and a dramatic shift in interceptions and final-third possessions marks a significant improvement.
Sure, it’s undeniably frustrating when we see ferociously well-paid individuals failing to complete their occupations, but the signs are there.
Admittedly, I did not see that capitulation occurring. I was confident of a win.
But is it right of me to change my tone off the back of 90 minutes of something that resembled football? I don’t think so.
A best-in-class project for a competitive future
In June, Dan Ashworth spoke about the necessity of focusing on medium to long-term results. In July, the Guardian printed the headline ‘Ten Hag not under pressure to secure top-four finish for Manchester United’.
Given what we have already covered about the need to shovel negativity to generate traction, it’s easy to see why people ignore these statements.
It would be even easier for me to do so and generate further clicks. But I value consistency over nonsense.
As I write this, do I believe Erik ten Hag deserves to be relieved of his duties at Manchester United? No, I do not.
At the same time, I agree that we need to see more: results, goals, tactical confidence and shrewd substitutions – a bond between team and supporter.
But, alongside my frustrations with unfortunate results and an unacceptable performance against Spurs, I believe in the club’s new best-in-class backroom team. More importantly, that group remains supportive of the manager.
While time may not be as ample as it once was, Ten Hag is still the boss and a supporter should back their chief – even if they are disgruntled by certain factors.
As a supporter base, we always crave the new shiny option. When the glare ultimately fades, we move to finding fault and lamenting what was once our desired individual.
Presently, United are underperforming, and we need to see improvements. However, there are misconceptions about the expectations of a side that has endured two decades of mismanagement.
It’s not about throwing needless statistics about the number of Ten Hag-signed players on a field. It’s every bit as easy to highlight that Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are less than two months into a new team, country, league and way of life.
We regularly read: ‘This is his third season in charge’. Yes, it is, and he delivered a first trophy in six seasons alongside a third-place finish in his first. That is casually ignored to generate traction.
Once more, these are not excuses – this is factual.
Presently, his side is underperforming and far from what he wants. Furthermore, his squad, almost to a man, appears devoid of confidence and belief. That is a manager’s job to remedy.
But these are also professional footballers we’re dissecting, and a lack of fundamental football is on them – that is not something that requires teaching midweek.
Make no mistake, victory in Portugal and Birmingham will not ease this pressure – particularly when we enter another international break.
But that is the expectation of whoever is tasked with attempting to replicate the work of Sir Alex.
For many, a simple cohesion and entertaining brand of football is enough. For others, perennial Premier League domination alongside illuminating Champions League titles is the bare minimum.
That is the joy of football – differing opinions and goals.
I would urge you to maintain a form of perspective along the way. Not too long ago, Jason Wilcox was hailed as the savour of our season – interjecting to provide a clear tactical path.
Yet, during times of adversity today, his name is barely ushered. It’s almost like certain individuals don’t care about consistency in delivery.
Ultimately, there are multiple variables, and Erik ten Hag is not free from criticism, critique or pressure. He should be doing better, and he will know that above all.
But, the Ineos project has only begun, and the primary goal is to achieve continuity between the academy and the first team, with a progression in the squad and a clear direction for the ‘Man United way.’
Whether or not you’re happy with the necessity for a sustained belief in a project, that is the only way this football club can return to perennial competitiveness.
Ten Hag remains confident despite what various media would have you believe. “We are going to make a success from the season,” he told Sky Sports.
“Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about. We can sort (the problems) out. – this team can sort this out.”
Let us know how you feel in the comments or across our social channels.
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