Manchester United’s struggles under Erik ten Hag have been glaring, as the Dutch coach has faced severe criticism for his management and spending during his time at Old Trafford. Despite being given substantial financial backing, United have sunk to new lows under his leadership.
Ten Hag, who took charge in May 2022, has overseen both of the club’s worst-ever starts to a Premier League season, as well as their worst finish in the competition. While the team has managed to win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, these successes have done little to hide the deeper issues plaguing the club.
Ten Hag inherited a struggling squad when he arrived, but he was entrusted with a massive transfer budget of £616 million ($807 million) to reshape the team in his image.
Nearly two-and-a-half years and 20 signings later, Manchester United find themselves in one of the most difficult periods of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, which speaks volumes about the club’s decline.
One of the biggest criticisms of Ten Hag’s tenure is his transfer strategy, which has often involved bringing in players he has previously worked with at other clubs, particularly Ajax.
This approach has proven to be flawed, as many of these signings have struggled to adjust to the demands of Premier League football, as well as the immense pressure that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The inability of these players to live up to expectations has further compounded United’s problems on the pitch, leaving fans frustrated and questioning the club’s transfer decisions.
The scale of this mismanagement was particularly evident in a recent match against Aston Villa, where over £330 million ($430 million) worth of Ten Hag’s signings were left on the bench.
The match was seen by many as a crucial test for the Dutch coach, with his job hanging in the balance. Despite the significant investment in new players, United’s performances have failed to improve, and the club has struggled to compete at the level expected.
Ten Hag’s recruitment failures have been stark, but there have been some success stories as well. One standout signing is Noussair Mazraoui, who joined United from Bayern Munich for a modest fee of £13 million. Mazraoui, a versatile defender, has slotted seamlessly into the right-back position in United’s starting lineup, displacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Moroccan international has brought much-needed technical ability to the team, something that Wan-Bissaka struggled to provide during his time at the club.
At such a bargain price, Mazraoui’s signing stands out as one of the few pieces of good business conducted during Ten Hag’s tenure. However, it also highlights the wider issues facing United, as Mazraoui went from being a squad player at Bayern Munich to becoming a key figure at Manchester United, underlining the gap in quality between the two clubs at present.
As Manchester United continue to underperform, the pressure on Erik ten Hag has intensified. His poor transfer decisions, combined with the team’s dismal form, have brought him to the brink of becoming the first managerial casualty under the new INEOS ownership.
While there have been moments of promise, such as Mazraoui’s success, the overall picture remains bleak. Ten Hag’s inability to consistently improve the squad and elevate United’s performances leaves his future at the club in serious doubt.
