Stress mounts on Erik ten Hag as Tottenham simply brush apart Manchester United at Outdated Trafford

When Micky van de Ven stole a free ball from Marcus Rashford, Manchester United had dedicated solely 5 gamers to the Tottenham half. At most three had been taken out of play by the primary contact of the Dutch center-back. There have been sufficient our bodies again to take care of even probably the most explosive of maraudings. It’s simply nobody appeared minded to take action.

Manuel Ugarte, the person who was imagined to fill the chasm in entrance of United’s backline, watched on as if nobody had offered him with a be aware saying “Van de Ven: fast”, not to mention a scouting video. Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui closed the hole into the penalty space simply as their opponent had reached the byline. Lisandro Martinez made a transfer for Dominic Solanke moderately than the ball. Diogo Dalot allowed a two-yard hole to Brennan Johnson to grow to be a five-yard one.

You have seen that purpose conceded by United extra occasions than you possibly can depend during the last two seasons and alter. Genuinely this is not even the primary time this week an Erik ten Hag midfield has allowed a defender to drive up the intestine underneath no stress. Even when the particulars would possibly change, the broad sweep of United in opposition to high-level opposition is just too acquainted: a continual refusal by anybody of their colours to take possession of a scenario.

At this price, it might not be lengthy earlier than Ten Hag is assigned accountability by house owners who spent this summer season attempting to improve on him. Twelfth within the desk, September bookended by 3-0 losses at house, there may be nonetheless an inclination for one drawback to beget half a dozen. United may need improved in opposition to the remainder of the Premier League however this workforce retains getting brushed apart any time they face their supposed equals.

When it rains at Outdated Trafford, it pours. Moments after Bruno Fernandes’ controversial crimson card, the overwhelmed Kobbie Mainoo got here out with an damage. Earlier than the ultimate whistle, the substitute would additionally should go off. Their misfortune, nevertheless, shouldn’t obscure simply how poor they had been, significantly with 11 in opposition to 11. 

Fernandes typified the mixture of mismanagement and mishaps. Steaming out of place to attempt to steal possession from James Maddison, the United captain misplaced his footing. Solely he is aware of if the high-swinging proper boot that follows was deliberate or not. Maybe Chris Kavanagh has seen sufficient acts of petulance from Fernandes prior to now to imagine the worst. 

United’s failings are acquainted: an assault that does not actually press, a protection that retains dropping in the direction of its goalkeeper, their opponents afforded the run of midfield. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have not often had such area and time. Even earlier than United had been lowered to 10, Spurs had 12 photographs, 1.85 xG. By the ultimate whistle, that they had probably the most anticipated objectives of any Premier League workforce at Outdated Trafford.

If Heung-min Son hadn’t been injured they may effectively exceeded that xG mark. Definitely his ending has the authority that his substitute emphatically lacks, Timo Werner delivering tame efforts when one on one with Andre Onana. Johnson may need had one other when his shot bounced again off the submit. Cristian Romero, Future Udogie, Maddison: all went shut earlier than Dejan Kulusevski doubled the lead early within the second half.

That purpose spoke to how laborious it’s to essentially apportion blame when a lot goes improper. It’s honest to imagine that in changing Joshua Zirkzee with Casemiro, Ten Hag was seeking to tighten his facet up, holding out within the early knockings of the second half in order that there may be one thing to play for within the last 10 or quarter-hour. If that’s the case, his workforce was not inclined to observe the plan.

This time United had seven within the Tottenham half. Maybe the all out protection Arsenal deployed seven days in the past would not swimsuit the personnel at Outdated Trafford however it’s a fundamental failure of group, self-discipline and sport intelligence to permit so many gamers so excessive up the pitch within the circumstances the hosts discovered themselves in.

United rallied at two objectives down. In fact they did. This was when it acquired simpler. The hosts had nothing to lose, their opponents had been content material to cruise. Think about that Casemiro’s stab at a Martinez clip had gone in. Would that merely have hastened the Spurs’ third, Solanke the one man attacking the ball after Pape Matar Sarr simply received the primary header? Even a workforce outlined within the impartial creativeness by their incapability to carry a lead in opposition to Manchester United — “lad’s, it’s Tottenham” — noticed nothing to concern concerning the males in crimson.

Nor will Porto, nor Aston Villa. That is already trying dangerous for Ten Hag. Even by the requirements of a supervisor who appears to have been on the brink for many of this 12 months, it seems that a powerful act of escapology goes to be wanted.