Erik ten Hag still needs time – no decision on Man Utd manager’s future should be made until Christmas
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has had a mixed start to his tenure at Old Trafford, with some promising performances and results tempered by disappointing defeats and setbacks. Despite this, it is too early to make any judgments about his long-term prospects at the club.
Ten Hag was appointed in the summer with a clear vision for the team and a mandate to restore United to their former glories. However, he inherited a squad that was in disarray and needed significant rebuilding. The Dutchman has made some smart signings and has started to implement his playing style, but it will take time for the team to gel and for his methods to bear fruit.
The Premier League is a notoriously competitive league, and United are facing stiff competition from established top-six clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. It is unrealistic to expect ten Hag to transform the team overnight, and he needs time to build a cohesive unit that can challenge for major honors.
One of the main challenges facing ten Hag is the need to overhaul United’s squad. The team has been in decline for several years, and the Dutchman has inherited a group of players who are not suited to his playing style. He has made some smart signings, such as Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, but he needs to bring in more players who fit his vision.
Another challenge facing ten Hag is the need to improve United’s defense. The team has been leaking goals at an alarming rate, and the Dutchman needs to find a solution to this problem. He has experimented with different formations and personnel, but he has yet to find the right combination.
Despite these challenges, there have been some positive signs. United’s attack has looked dangerous at times, with players like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial showing flashes of brilliance. The team has also shown a willingness to press high up the pitch and win the ball back quickly, which is a key part of ten Hag’s playing style.
However, these positive signs have been tempered by some disappointing defeats. United were beaten by Brighton and Brentford in their first two games of the season, and they have also lost to Liverpool and Manchester City. These defeats have raised questions about ten Hag’s ability to succeed at United, but they should not be used to make any judgments about his long-term prospects.
The January transfer window will be crucial for ten Hag, as he looks to strengthen his squad and address some of the weaknesses that have been exposed in the early months of the season. If he can make some shrewd signings and continue to develop his young players, United could start to make progress up the table.
Ultimately, any decision on ten Hag’s future should be made at the end of the season, not in the midst of a chaotic campaign. United’s hierarchy must be patient and give him the time and resources he needs to succeed. If they do, they may be rewarded with a team that can challenge for major honors in the years to come.
In conclusion, Erik ten Hag still needs time to implement his vision and build a successful team at Manchester United. No decision on his future should be made until Christmas, and the club’s hierarchy must be patient and give him the support he needs to succeed. With time and resources, ten Hag can build a team that can challenge for major honors and restore United to their former glories.
