Ten Hag back under pressure at Man Utd after brutal reality check

 

Erik ten Hag is already back under extreme pressure at Manchester United after flunking his first big test since the club decided to keep faith with their Dutch manager.

Erik ten Hag is already back under extreme pressure at Manchester United after flunking his first big test since the club decided to keep faith with their Dutch manager.

New signings

The former Ajax boss can point to mitigating circumstances - Manuel Ugarte, United's new midfield recruit from Paris Saint-Germain, was not available while another recent arrival, defender Leny Yoro, is injured along with Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund.

But United looked short of ideas and quality against Liverpool, who have won all three of their Premier League games under new boss Slot.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro was at fault for both of Diaz's goals and was hauled off at half-time while forward Marcus Rashford looked desperately short of form and confidence.

United's paucity of options was laid bare by the fact that Ten Hag was forced to turn to 20-year-old Toby Collyer, making his Premier League debut. Ten Hag pleaded for patience over Ugarte.

"We have to build him in the team, it will take time," he said. "It is not like I'm Harry Potter, that is what you have to acknowledge. If you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn't play so far in the season, not one match minute."

Whether or not United now regret their decision to stick with Ten Hag, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, a 'Sky Sports' pundit, believes he will be given until Christmas to turn things around.

"It is a time for a bit of calm," he said. "It's the international break, which is probably well-needed for United. But Erik ten Hag is going to have to get the club into a position challenging for the Champions League towards Christmas or else he is going to be in trouble."

September's international break has come at the right time for Ten Hag - United are next in action at Southampton on September 14. But the United manager faces some sleepless nights as he tries to figure out a way to stop the rot.