Several Manchester United players expressed their desire for a day off on Sunday following their 2-1 loss to Fulham on Saturday. This was despite the team’s usual routine of attending post-match warm-downs and video analysis, under coach Erik ten Hag.
The manager’s request was unexpected, considering the lackluster performance and the fact that it was a regular part of their routine. The staff rejected it, reminding the players of their responsibilities, and it was believed that Ten Hag was not aware of the situation.
During the month of November, the Guardian released an article stating that some of United’s players were attributing their team’s rough start to the excessive training done by Ten Hag during pre-season. They expressed feeling fatigued at the beginning of the season, similar to how they felt at the end of the previous one.
The defeat by Fulham ended a run of five consecutive victories, United’s best sequence of an uneven campaign. Ten Hag is under particular scrutiny owing to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 27.7% buy-in and the team being sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
The owner of Ineos is currently undergoing a structural evaluation. He has made notable changes by appointing Omar Berrada as the CEO and attempting to recruit Dan Ashworth from Newcastle to replace John Murtough as head of the football division. It is anticipated that Murtough will be presented with a new position and will need to decide whether to accept it.
Prior to the FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Ten Hag accused Jamie Carragher of showing bias in his evaluation of his managerial skills, following the pundit’s remarks on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
Carragher claimed United’s defending at the start of the Fulham game was unlike any he had seen. Ten Hag said: “First of all, some analysts are very objective in their comments [and offer] very good advice; some are very subjective. Jamie Carragher from the first moment has criticised and now he wants to make his point.”
Although Ten Hag did agree with Carragher, he did concede that Fulham’s surprising midfield setup in the first half hour posed a challenge for his team and they had to come up with solutions.
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After selecting Omari Forson, a 19-year-old, as the starting player on the right wing in the match against Fulham, the Dutch coach provided Antony with assistance.
“I have been supporting Antony for a long time,” he stated. “I’m aware of his impressive talents and from my past experiences with him, I know that he is unstoppable. No defender can keep up with him in the first 10 yards due to his incredible speed. I have no doubt that he will excel. He has strong determination and a solid character, and I have full confidence in him. Now, he just has to wait for his opportunity, and when it comes, he needs to regain his top form.”
Source: theguardian.com
