With three games played in the latest instalment of the Premier League, the knives – sharpened in anticipation – are already on show for Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag.
Am I surprised? No. It has become the way of things with the advancements of social media alongside the perennial growth of football – particularly the English game.
That is in no way attempting to absolve the manager of blame. Contrary to a barrage of irrational, ill-tempered messages, I have no desire to ignore facts.
The man makes errors and, like players, deserves to be pulled on them.
Speaking in the aftermath of yesterday’s disheartening 3-0 mauling by fiercest rivals Liverpool, the Dutchman acknowledged what was a devastating Sunday for everybody associated with the club.
“We have to be humble,” he told MUTV. “We have to give the compliments to Liverpool, but of course, we are not happy.”
“Individuals have to improve, and also fitness-wise, we have to improve. We will be fine. We are going for trophies, and we have a lot to play for.”
For many, this is merely lip service and irrelevant – they want the manager gone and someone – anyone – to walk in and implement an immediate resolution to two decades of underwhelming football.
Of course, every supporter is entitled to their opinion, and whether you travel home and away or sit in your favourite armchair with phone in hand, your view is relevant.
That said, I do enjoy a slice of perspective, and I’m not entirely willing to throw the towel in on any manager off the back of a solitary defeat – a weekly ordeal with Manchester United Football Club.
Do I believe that Old Trafford would be a better place without the Haaksbergen man at the helm? No, but that does not mean my opinion can not change.
Scrutiny like no other
The Manager at the home of the three-time Champions League winners is the most scrutinised position in the game.
That comes hand-in-hand with football journalists required to discuss the club daily by whatever means accessible. The agenda is so blatant that the majority don’t attempt to conceal it.
While many focus on a cheap click, some attempt to report with the best intentions, and I am privileged to call many friends.
This tweet may seem innocent and merely observational, but it planted more than one thought yesterday afternoon and loaded a wounded fanbase with unnecessary fuel in defeat.
At the time of the post, Noussair Mazraoui arrived three weeks prior and played 171 minutes for the club. Matthijs de Ligt arrived the same day and had played 20 minutes without a start. Furthermore, Joshua Zirkzee arrived in July, did not partake in pre-season, and had played 74 minutes.
Yes, with six players signed during Ten Hag’s tenure, it is more ‘the manager’s team now’ than it is not. However, perspective is crucial, and the decision to ignore that was intentional.
The requirement in mainstream media to source, produce and highlight negativity about the club is nothing new, but the availability of social media has exasperated the fanbase.
Sensationalism sells, and following this tweet with a headline of ‘I’m not Harry Potter’ is a deliberate poke at an already tempestuous storm that many have contemplated as a result of the initial tweet.
Need I remind you of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous words to the media before a press conference in 2010?
“I’m fed up of having to read papers – and things I’ve said – and I know I’ve said – and you completely twist it around and lie.
“Your job is to tell the truth – that is your job as a journalist. And if you don’t do that, you’re in the wrong job.”
But Fergie had overcome the vitriol of the media and supporters of the late 80s and had nothing to prove.
Silverware matters, or does it?
There is no denying the domestic capitulation of Manchester United during the 2023-24 campaign.
An eighth-place finish could have cost Ten Hag his job, but for an end-of-season Ineos review that concluded to stick with the tactician.
Now, in his third season in the North West, the former Ajax chief has delivered two trophies – one more than Mikel Arteta.
But, according to some, that is irrelevant – with many reverting to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s statement about trophies masking progression at a club.
I adore Solskjaer. I fought his corner weekly and will fondly remember the memorable days he supplied.
But success is measured in multiple avenues. Say what you will following frustration in defeat, but trophies most certainly matter.
While some now choose to rewrite history, many of the individuals craving a return to the times of the Norwegian long petitioned for his removal and utilised a lack of silverware to lament him.
It is worthwhile remembering that the former attacker also referenced the importance of a stable culture at the club – something that has only begun during the summer.
Focusing on the here and now
As a journalist, I must remain neutral.
However, as a match-going supporter since the late 80s, I lose sleep following such a defeat.
Yesterday, simply put, was not good enough. It was tame, uninspiring and riddled with schoolboy errors.
Make no mistake, while I attempt to offer perspective – that can not continue.
It is baffling to comprehend the Jekyll and Hyde traits of a five-time Champions League winner or the unwillingness of a man who supplied 30 goals a little over a year ago to beat his marker.
The glaring holes in midfield are naturally unacceptable and can not be maintained.
It is tactical and falls at the feet of Ten Hag and his coaching team.
But has the manager instructed his superstar players to retreat into themselves?
Or has the Dutchman guided Marcus Rashford to address the media and ‘supporters’ who lament him daily via a players’ tribune piece in February? No, he has not.
The adage ‘professional athletes earn enough to put up with abuse’ couldn’t be further from the truth, and regardless of frustration in defeat, direct hatred will not result in performance improvements.
The Reds were unlucky in defeat to Brighton – it happens in football.
A response was necessary, but it did not come. That does not mean the project is broken and the season is over.
The necessity for reactionary media responses is mandatory – as stated above, they thrive on negativity.
Erik ten Hag is hardly riding the crest of a wave and has plenty to work on to achieve his goals. He can not allow yesterday to become a regular occurrence.
The group played 52 fixtures last season – we are three into the 2024-25 campaign. I understand the pain and frustration – trust me, I share it.
But, it costs nothing to apply perspective and consider the entire picture. Say what you will about performances, the 20-time English champions lead the league in big chances missed with nine.
Liverpool finished 22 points better off last season and were nine points off the title.
Most of their squad has been together for several seasons, while Ten Hag had a combination of new signings, players returning from injury layoffs and youngsters.
Again, that does not absolve him from blame for his tactical application, but these are valid topics for consideration.
Football is a funny game, and Manchester United is its cash cow.
The manager, the coaching staff and the players will feel this defeat as heavily as you. It is up to them to make things right.
What is your opinion on Erik ten Hag and the season ahead for United?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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