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When Manchester United began their Champions League journey against Bayern Munich on September 20th, there was a strong feeling of apprehension. The season had not started well, with three losses in five Premier League games, and the main focus at the Allianz Arena was not on winning or tying, but rather on avoiding embarrassment.
The 4-3 loss was a high-scoring game, but Bayern had control once they took the lead. They were clearly the better team compared to United, who struggled to score consistently. However, this result was not a catastrophic one for United. They were aware that their advancement in the Champions League did not rely solely on this particular match.
On Tuesday evening, United exited the competition in last place of Group A, without the opportunity to drop down to the Europa League. They were defeated by Bayern with a score of 1-0 at Old Trafford. Once again, the Bundesliga champions proved to be too strong. Despite already securing a spot in the last 16 as group winners, they lacked the urgency and determination that often brings out the best in top teams. This was a relief for United.
The event was quite odd and lacked any real excitement. Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, had mentioned the energy of Old Trafford beforehand. However, while the lights were on, the atmosphere fell flat.
United put forth their best effort from the beginning, aggressively challenging and throwing themselves into tackles while playing for their team and their manager, Erik ten Hag. However, it was evident that everyone in the audience was aware that this would not be sufficient. The fans seemed to accept their inevitable defeat, with no prolonged anger shown at the conclusion of the game, only a short chorus of boos from the remaining attendees. At least it was not a complete embarrassment.
United’s current season has been marked by inconsistency and decline. They have failed to win against any strong opponents, as evidenced by their losses. In the Premier League standings, they have only managed to defeat one team in the top half, 10th-placed Fulham, in a last-minute 1-0 victory.
The chances of their success in the Champions League were already diminished prior to Tuesday. During the matches against Copenhagen and Galatasaray, which were both filled with intense moments, United did not earn enough points to match the intense level of excitement.
They now assess losses based on their magnitude, compared to the losses themselves, indicating a stagnant club with diminishing optimism.
The main issue at hand is whether Ten Hag will be able to keep his job for the remainder of the season through a successful salvage operation. Manchester United’s main objective is to secure a top-four or top-five spot, ensuring their place in the Champions League for the next campaign. However, it would be ironic if they were unable to secure fifth place due to their poor performance in Europe, affecting England’s overall ranking. The team also has the FA Cup to compete for.
Based on a fair evaluation, it can be argued that Ten Hag’s time is running short. United’s loss against Bayern was their 12th of the season, putting them in a group with only Burnley, Almería, and Union Berlin for the most defeats in Europe’s top five leagues.
Ten Hag can rest easy knowing that, currently, there is no one in a position to fire him. This is due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s pending acquisition of a 25% stake in the club from the Glazer family, which will give him control over the team’s management.
United have an interim chief executive in Patrick Stewart, the chief legal officer, after Richard Arnold stepped down and it is unlikely the football department, headed by John Murtough, would act as they are about to hand over to Ratcliffe’s people.
Should Ten Hag continue to be in charge for the rest of the season? This question relates to his achievements last season when he had better luck with injuries. It also considers the consequences and disturbance of making a change mid-season. This approach was unsuccessful when United did it in December 2021, replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjær with Ralf Rangnick. There are players who are dissatisfied, but it is unclear how many. On the other hand, fans who attend matches have not turned against the team and continue to show strong support.
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Solskjær experienced a rapid turnaround, triggered by the 5-0 loss to Liverpool at home. Similarly, Ten Hag will face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, where he suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat last March. However, Ten Hag was able to bounce back from that defeat, which was seen as an anomaly in his overall progress. The current situation is different.
United will be anxious about their upcoming travels due to their recent performances and the current selection struggles. It was notable to hear Ten Hag express frustration over the team’s injury issues, especially in the defensive line. For Ten Hag, the foundation of the team begins at the back, not just in terms of defending but also in how he wants to approach attacking play.
Last season, United displayed their best performance when they utilized coordinated movements and quick, precise passes to move up the field in three sections. Luke Shaw played a crucial role as the left-back, frequently carrying the ball forward and connecting with Marcus Rashford on the wing ahead of him.
The team’s unity has been less noticeable and consistent this season. It is important to mention that in each Champions League game, Ten Hag had to replace two players in his defensive line from the last match. Additionally, he has had to use defenders in unfamiliar roles as well. This has not provided a strong foundation for integrating a new goalkeeper, André Onana, with a different playing style.
Ten Hag had a depleted roster for the Bayern game due to injuries to Lisandro Martínez, Victor Lindelöf, and Tyrell Malacia. During the game, Harry Maguire and Shaw also sustained muscle injuries. This put them in a tough spot, especially with the absence of their midfield players. Bayern was also dealing with injuries to Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen, while Bruno Fernandes will be absent for Liverpool due to suspension.
Ten Hag is currently in a state of anticipation as he awaits medical updates. The next course of action for him is a risky one. His top priority is to prevent any potential embarrassment.
Source: theguardian.com
