It is never a good sign when a Manchester United manager is compared to David Moyes, but Erik ten Hag has now found himself in a more concerning position than Moyes ever was during his tenure at Old Trafford. United’s recent 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest marked their 14th loss in all competitions this season, highlighting a disturbing trend in their performances. The familiar pattern of conceding early, equalizing, and then succumbing to amateurish defending has become all too common for Ten Hag’s team. Combine this with inconsistent individual displays and perplexing tactics, and it becomes clear that Ten Hag’s second season at the helm is starting to resemble Moyes’ ill-fated campaign in 2013.
Ten Hag’s predicament is exacerbated by the fact that his team is currently performing worse than Moyes’ squad did after 20 games of the 2013-14 season. Moyes’ United held the seventh position at that stage, accumulating 34 points with 33 goals scored and 24 conceded. In contrast, Ten Hag’s United also sits in seventh place with only 31 points, scoring 22 goals but conceding 27. These statistics indicate that Ten Hag’s team is not only scoring fewer goals but also conceding more than Moyes’ underperforming side.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag, his explanations for poor results and performances appear equally unconvincing as Moyes’ attempts during his time at United. When questioned about the recurring mistakes made by his team, Ten Hag mentioned the lack of communication resulting from constant player rotation. Although he praised the team’s second-half display against Nottingham Forest, claiming they were “going for a win,” these comments do little to address the underlying problems. The questionable decision-making, coupled with mediocre individual performances, creates an air of chaos that hinders the team’s prospects of success.
Ten Hag now faces added pressure with the recent acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United by INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe. INEOS director of sport Dave Brailsford was in attendance during the Nottingham Forest game, sitting alongside legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The visual comparison between Ferguson’s frustration and Ten Hag’s struggle to rally the team is reminiscent of Moyes’ difficult tenure. While it remains unclear what exactly transpired between Brailsford and Ferguson during the match, it is evident that Antony, United’s expensive winger, failed to impress. The lack of impact from Antony, whom Ten Hag was instrumental in signing 18 months ago, poses a significant problem for the manager.
The decision to pursue Antony was a misjudgment on Ten Hag’s part, and he continues to compound this error every time he includes the underperforming winger in the starting lineup. Antony’s performances have proven that he is not up to the standard required for a top Premier League club. Ten Hag’s refusal to acknowledge this issue will undoubtedly hinder his standing with the new INEOS leadership. With Brailsford soon to join a three-person football board alongside co-owners Joel Glazer and Ratcliffe, it is imperative that Ten Hag address the evident shortcomings in his squad.
Admittedly, Ten Hag has had to contend with a lengthy injury list throughout the season. However, the ability to manage injuries and illnesses is an inherent requirement for any manager in elite sports. Unfortunately for Ten Hag, his rivals seem to be more adept at overcoming these obstacles. When asked about the team’s biggest problem, he pointed to the injuries as a significant hindrance but emphasized the fans’ desire for results. While United’s recent victory saw Marcus Rashford finally score from open play after a long drought, the positives were overshadowed by the defeat and the goals conceded.
The Alarming Statistics
The alarming truth remains that Manchester United has already accumulated 14 losses under Ten Hag this season, with 18 games remaining. This figure exceeds the 16 losses Moyes suffered throughout one full season at the club. Additionally, United’s overall tally of 21 defeats in 2023 across all competitions is the worst the club has experienced since 1972 and the fourth-highest in its history. It is worth noting that United has already matched the number of league defeats suffered throughout the entirety of the previous season. Adding to the crisis, Nottingham Forest’s victory over United marked their first triumph against the Manchester club in nearly three decades. As the pressure mounts, Ten Hag must now focus on an upcoming FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic, a League One side currently placed 18th. Losing such a match is unthinkable for Ten Hag at this point.
Erik ten Hag finds himself in a precarious situation at Manchester United. The repetitive pattern of failures, the unfavorable comparison to Moyes, the underperforming signings, and the mounting pressure all contribute to the growing uncertainty surrounding his position as manager. If Ten Hag fails to reverse these troubling trends and guide United back on a path to success, he could find himself in a situation similar to Moyes, with his tenure cut short before it truly begins.