Players Question Erik ten Hag’s Tactics After Defeat to Man City
Manchester United players are raising concerns about the tactics employed by manager Erik ten Hag, believing that they are partly to blame for the club’s ongoing injury crisis. The Red Devils were missing several key players during their recent 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, including Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Mason Mount. Additionally, Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans, who started the match, struggled to last even an hour due to fitness issues.
The injury crisis at United is becoming increasingly severe, with only Diogo Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes managing to avoid injuries so far this season. As a result, Ten Hag has had to call up several teenagers from the academy to bolster the squad for training sessions. The lack of available players has undoubtedly put strain on the team and affected their performance on the pitch.
One aspect of Ten Hag’s tactics that has come under scrutiny is United’s defensive approach in recent matches. Jamie Carragher, in particular, criticized the team’s strategy, highlighting a disconnect between the front six players adopting a high press and the back five deploying a deep block. This tactical inconsistency has left large gaps in midfield, forcing the forward players to frequently sprint back to regain their defensive positions before launching counter-attacks.
According to the Manchester Evening News, these tactics have left some United players confused and frustrated, contributing to the ongoing injury crisis within the squad. With United currently 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, the pressure is mounting on Ten Hag to find a solution.
Looking ahead, United will host Everton at Old Trafford next Saturday. Ten Hag is hopeful that Harry Maguire will be fit for the match, providing some much-needed stability to the defense. The clash between Villa and Spurs later in the day will also be closely watched, as it could have implications for United’s pursuit of a top-four finish.
In conclusion, Erik ten Hag’s tactics at Manchester United have come under scrutiny following the team’s defeat to Manchester City. The ongoing injury crisis, coupled with tactical inconsistencies, has raised concerns among players. As United continue to chase a top-four finish, the pressure is on Ten Hag to address these issues and find a winning formula for the team.