Manchester United’s head coach Erik ten Hag is facing increasing scrutiny following his remarks post the match against Brentford.
The 1-1 draw against Brentford saw Manchester United take the lead in the 96th minute, a position they should have capitalized on for a win. However, it was apparent throughout the game that the Red Devils were more likely to lose than to secure a victory.
Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, noted to their club media that this performance surpassed last season’s 4-0 win against Manchester United in terms of quality.
The lone goal conceded by Manchester United came from Brentford’s inefficiencies in finishing and a bit of misfortune, with several strikes hitting the woodwork. Goalkeeper Andre Onana received praise for his stellar performance, acknowledged both on MUTV and by Ten Hag himself.
Manchester United allowed Brentford a staggering 31 opportunities to score, a concerning statistic for a team aspiring to compete at the top of the Premier League table. Despite currently holding the sixth position, it is evident that significant improvements are needed, especially in reducing the number of shots conceded.The lackluster display against Brentford has been a recurring theme for Manchester United this season, regardless of the lineup in midfield or attack. This indicates that perhaps it is Erik ten Hag’s tactical approach that requires reevaluation.
Erik ten Hag’s response to the situation has raised further alarms among fans and pundits alike. Rather than addressing the concerns directly, his post-match comments seemed to downplay the severity of the performance.In his remarks to the club media, Ten Hag stated, “As long as we get results, no [it is not a problem]. I explained it once more. We defended low at times and, as I said, because Brentford are very direct we lost many second balls.”
He continued to praise the team’s defensive efforts and highlighted the consistency in results since January. However, his attempt to draw parallels with Brentford’s performance against City fell short when scrutinized against the actual statistics.
Comparing City’s recent matches against Brentford, where they dominated possession and had significantly more shots on target, Ten Hag’s comments seemed more of a diversion from the actual issues at hand.
These statements, instead of addressing the team’s deficiencies, paint a picture of a coaching staff out of touch with the reality of the team’s performance.
As Manchester United gears up for crucial matches against Chelsea and Liverpool, there is a palpable sense of urgency for a significant improvement. The prospect of success looks grim if they replicate the performance shown against Brentford.
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