United View: Ten Hag safe but room to improve

Erik ten Hag and his side have done just enough to quiet further scrutiny and questions about the manager’s job security for now, however, with the Reds 14th in the league and table and yet to pick up a win in Europe, something needs to change at Old Trafford.

United’s trip to Porto last Thursday resulted in a 3-3 draw, with a late Harry Maguire equaliser sparing the club an embarrassing defeat after letting a two-goal lead slip within the first half.

At times during his United career, ten Hag has made bold calls to his side and bringing off Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for Harry Maguire and Johnny Evans was another. Thankfully it paid off with the England international heading home in the 91st minute to rescue a point.

Martinez and de Ligt are experiencing a difficult spell in the Red’s rearguard, despite seemingly being two players the manager should know and trust from their time together at Ajax. But it feels like the way the team is set up is not playing to their strengths.

Neither are particularly good when asked to defend running backwards, with de Ligt a front-foot aggressive defender and Martinez better in tighter spaces. Having Dalot invert and leaving the Argentinean to cover the space the left full back leaves behind has been a challenge.

The two were dropped on Sunday, which was down to ‘rotation’ according to the manager. However, given United’s pragmatic approach at Villa Park, the pairing of Maguire and Evans made more sense, both are more than capable of sitting deep and defending the box.

After beating Bayern Munich in the week and with ten Hag fighting to keep his job, this gameplan was understandable from the outside looking in. Although a clean sheet and a solid defensive display are welcome, it still wasn’t a performance to get excited about.

The most important thing for United was that they weren’t embarrassed in a similar way to the 3-0 loss against Spurs, but the hierarchy met to reflect on the club’s progress during their first full season running football operations.

Whilst things have looked bleak for ten Hag, the club will be reluctant to offload the manager, hoping to see improvement in results and performances. Along with having to avoid paying off the Dutchman and his staff should he be asked to leave.

Ten Hag has been a survivor during his time at Old Trafford, pulling out a result just in the nick of time. Those two draws’ may have just extended his time as head coach for a little while longer.

Reiterating a previous claim, no United fan wants to see another manager fail, but there has to be something to inspire them. The Reds sit five points above the relegation zone, with only Southampton scoring fewer goals in the league – four to United’s five.

This international break feels like a boxer being saved by the bell, with United just about staying on its feet, now they need their coach to rethink their approach. It isn’t time to come out swinging, but they need to increase their offence.

The squad is good, with more options than last season, yet we’re still seeing the same issues as last season. What the hierarchy decides to do over this break is uncertain, and hopefully, whatever they do will benefit the team as things have been dire up until now.

Brentford at Old Trafford and a trip to Fenerbahçe await the Reds post international break, two sides that have caused problems in the past. This will be another test for United to show they have something to offer this season.