Manchester United Players Growing Concerned Over Erik ten Hag’s Tactics

A number of Manchester United players are growing concerned over Erik ten Hag’s recent tactical adjustments and criticism of the side amid their wretched start to the new season. United have lost four of their last five games, conceding 14 goals in that run, with their defensive frailties once again on show in the 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Champions League group opener.

While he did not single out any member of his squad, ten Hag lamented ‘easy giveaway’ goals his side have been conceding, frequenting noting players’ failure to ‘follow the rules’ during their poor run of form.

Growing Weary of Ten Hag

Manchester Evening News report reports a section of the United dressing room is ‘growing weary’ with ten Hag and feel the Dutchman has his ‘favourites’ in the squad who he will not single out for criticism. Others feel there are ‘routinely rounded on’ by the manager.

Questions have also begun to emerge over this tactical set-up with some feeling the absence of Antony has led to the manager’s approach being compromised. Some players reportedly feel they have been put in a difficult position to carry out the manager’s tactical instructions, a situation complicated by Antony’s ongoing absence.

Antony’s Absence

The Brazilian winger is on a mutually agreed leave of absence following domestic assault allegations. Antony is United’s only senior left-footed right winger, playing a key role in ten Hag’s set-up when available. The former Ajax boss also expected to have Mason Greenwood, another left-footer, in his squad this season only for the club to reverse their decision over his future and send him out on loan to Getafe.

Ten Hag’s Criticism

Andre Onana made a calamitous error to give Bayern the lead on Wednesday night but ten Hag was unhappy with his side’s efforts in the build-up to the goal, also not impressed with the ease in which Jamal Musiala teed up an unmarked Serge Gnabry to score a second four minutes later.

‘You have to look in the mirror because the goals were easy giveaways,’ Ten Hag said. ‘We were in the first 25 minutes better in the game than Munich and then that goal, it was so easy and it was not only Andre.

‘If you see how easy Sane is going through and that has to do with determination, you don’t let players through so easy. That is the point – we have to cross the line as an individual and as a team to win games because it started there.

‘That’s what I mean, you have to suffer, sacrifice in situations, to give everything and to stop that and only when we get that in are we going to win games.

‘The way Sane came through can’t be. And the second goal; it’s almost similar over the other side. How easy players come through our box and to finish, it can’t be.’

Conclusion

Erik ten Hag’s recent tactical adjustments and criticism of Manchester United players have caused concern among some members of the squad. With Antony’s absence and Mason Greenwood’s loan move, some feel they have been put in a difficult position to carry out the manager’s instructions. Ten Hag has been vocal about his disappointment in his team’s defensive frailties and lack of determination, but whether or not his words will have an effect on the team’s performance remains to be seen.

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