The start of the 2020-21 season has been a difficult one for Manchester United, with the team struggling to find consistency in their performances. This has been especially true under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has seen his team suffer a number of defeats and draw in the Premier League. The team’s poor form has been compounded by the arrival of new manager, Erik Ten Hag, who has struggled to get the team firing on all cylinders. In this article, we will examine the factors contributing to Ten Hag’s struggles and how Manchester United can turn their fortunes around.
The first factor contributing to Ten Hag’s struggles is the lack of a consistent starting XI. Since his arrival, Ten Hag has been unable to settle on a regular starting lineup, making it difficult for the team to develop any sort of chemistry or continuity. This has been further compounded by the fact that Ten Hag has had to deal with a number of injuries to key players, such as Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. This has resulted in Ten Hag having to make do with a makeshift side on a number of occasions, which has made it difficult for the team to find any sort of rhythm or consistency.
Another factor contributing to Ten Hag’s struggles is the lack of transfer activity. Despite being linked with a number of high-profile players in the summer window, Manchester United failed to make any significant signings. This has left the team short on quality in certain areas, particularly in midfield and attack. As a result, Ten Hag has had to rely on players who are either out of form or inexperienced, which has made it difficult for him to get the best out of his squad.
Finally, Ten Hag’s struggles have also been compounded by the team’s lack of tactical flexibility. Under Solskjaer, Manchester United were known for their attacking style of play, but Ten Hag has been unable to replicate this. Instead, he has been forced to adopt a more defensive approach, which has seen the team struggle to create chances and score goals. This lack of tactical flexibility has hampered Ten Hag’s ability to get the best out of his players and has been a major factor in the team’s poor form.
In order for Manchester United to turn their fortunes around, they must address the issues outlined above. Firstly, they must find a consistent starting XI and give Ten Hag time to work with his players and develop a system that suits them. Secondly, they must look to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, bringing in players who can add quality and depth in key areas. Finally, they must look to develop a more flexible tactical approach that can be adapted depending on the opposition.
If Manchester United can address these issues, then they should be able to turn their fortunes around and start climbing up the table. However, it is clear that Ten Hag still has a lot of work to do if he is to get the team back on track.
