Manchester United suffered another setback under the management of Erik ten Hag, as they were dealt a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Old Trafford, marking a continuation of their recent struggles.
In a match where United were seeking redemption following their humiliating 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace, the absence of key players such as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford was keenly felt.
Initially, United appeared to make a composed start to the game, showing signs of stability. However, their defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed, particularly evident in the 20th minute when Casemiro, deployed as a makeshift centre-back, displayed a lack of urgency, allowing Kai Havertz to capitalize and set up Leandro Trossard for Arsenal’s opening goal.
This defensive lapse added to United’s woes, as it marked the 82nd goal they had conceded across all competitions this season, a statistic highlighting their defensive frailties.
This season has been marred by defensive shortcomings for United, with the tally of 82 goals conceded being the highest in a single season for the club in over five decades, dating back to the 1970/71 campaign.
The team’s current position in the league, occupying eighth place, mirrors their defensive struggles, with ninth-placed West Ham trailing closely behind by just two points.
Furthermore, Erik ten Hag’s tenure at United has been plagued by disappointing results, with the team suffering 19 defeats out of 49 matches—a feat not witnessed since the 1977/78 season.
With only two games remaining against Newcastle and Brighton, ten Hag faces immense pressure to secure victories in order to avoid overseeing United’s worst-ever Premier League season.
The current record of 54 points falls short of the 58-point tally achieved in the 2021/22 campaign, a season shared between former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
As speculation surrounds ten Hag’s future at United, it is reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will conduct a review of his position at the conclusion of the campaign, leaving uncertainty looming over the managerial landscape at Old Trafford.
