Erik ten Hag believes that the future looks bright for Manchester United following their 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Although United managed to secure a draw against a title-challenging team, their performance against Liverpool and their recent trend in matches raise concerns about the team’s long-term prospects. The statistics from the Liverpool game, as well as their previous matches, indicate that United have struggled defensively and offensively.
United’s performance against Liverpool showcased their defensive vulnerabilities as Liverpool had 28 shots, the most United have ever faced in a league match at Old Trafford. Additionally, United failed to produce a single shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, marking the first time since 2015 that they had not had at least one shot in the opening 45 minutes of a league game at Old Trafford. This trend of poor performance has raised doubts about the sustainability of their current form.
Furthermore, United’s declining performance is evident in their points per game projection, which indicates a potential decline of 15 points from the previous season. This regression, coupled with their defensive frailties, has led to doubts about Erik ten Hag’s managerial capabilities and his suitability for the job next season. Despite the potential for a turnaround in their final league games and a possible victory in the FA Cup, the recent evidence suggests that Erik ten Hag may not be the right manager to lead Manchester United into the next season.
The team’s underwhelming performance and defensive shortcomings highlight the need for significant improvements, and the onus falls on the manager to address these concerns.