Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager

Would you allow ETH to manage the cup final before parting ways?

  • Yes

    Votes: 433 48.3%
  • No, get an interim now

    Votes: 463 51.7%

  • Total voters
    896
  • This poll will close: .

Big Ben Foster

Correctly predicted Portugal to win Euro 2016
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
12,834
Location
BR -> MI -> TX
Supports
Also support Vasco da Gama
You’re not the only one judging with context mate. Someone like Weghorst has been shocking, but he continues to give him minutes rather than trying to change it. I get we don’t have a lot of options upfront, but if that’s the case maybe just play without a striker in a match like that, let Bruno or someone play in the space and get the ball up the pitch.
Yeah, I'd love to see some experimentation and tactical flexibility with our attacking line. No guarantees it'll work, but it's better than bringing on Wout, which is guaranteed to not work.
 

ArmaDino

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Apr 21, 2023
Messages
215
I get that we dont have a natural striker but,feck me, we have a pretty decent midfield and wide options to try and keep the fecking ball longer for 2 seconds.

What the flying feck are they doing in training ? we lack so much composure in the middle and we shouldn't when we have Casemiro and Bruno.
Training? We don't have time for anything. Ever since the WC we've averaged a game every 3 days. There is barely any time for training. Just rest and prepare for the next opponent.

Ole finished 2nd and 3rd
And Ole also won a total of 0 trophies. Your point?

What is happening in 2nd half? Every bloody game.
ETH's play style relies on intensity. That means our players have to give 100% at any given moment. The problem is that we have a paper thin squad and a super stacked schedule.

So to answer your question: our players are simply knackered. They don't have any more stamina to do a full 90 minutes of ETH ball. Only 45
 

Dannn411

Full Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2022
Messages
2,468
All i'll say is he better make the top 4 or his seat is going to get very hot going into next season. This is modern day football. £200m spent does not give you time. Particularly with the state the club is in these days. He has to deliver that CL spot THIS SEASON after spending that much on his own players.

I also see very very similar traits with Solksjaer. Particularly with his in-game decision making. His calm demeanor on the bench means absolutely nothing when his decision making resembles that of a deer in headlights.
 

NZT-One

Full Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
2,414
Location
Berlin
Dont think he made a particular error today. Subs were late but considering how the match played out, there weren't any obvious moves. I think, he isn't pragmatic enough, he is adamant of sticking to his play, being aggressive in attack and press their defenders. Even if tthe team itself isn't capable of doing it and the distances get way to big... No minus points in my eyes. But a chance to get bonus points passed.
 

Geistman

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 21, 2014
Messages
76
I think if we can see it through and get top 4 it will be an acceptable season. We are so much more solid defensively and in possession. Unfortunately I don't see much improvement in our pattern of play in attacking areas. If we fail to get top 4 from this position I don't see how it can be viewed as acceptable and considering he purchased 4/5 players I can't see him deserving a second season.
 

justboy68

Full Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
7,704
Location
Manchester
We just need to scrape over the line into top 4. Then we can get some suitable additions in the summer and Erik can get them properly training again and have a fresh go of it next season. Next season will be where we see if he is really going to be the one to bring the glory days back.

In the meantime it'll be amazing if we can somehow smash and grab the FA cup final as unlikely as that looks.
 

Maureen-yo

Full Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2016
Messages
830
Location
London
All i'll say is he better make the top 4 or his seat is going to get very hot going into next season. This is modern day football. £200m spent does not give you time. Particularly with the state the club is in these days. He has to deliver that CL spot THIS SEASON after spending that much on his own players.

I also see very very similar traits with Solksjaer. Particularly with his in-game decision making. His calm demeanor on the bench means absolutely nothing when his decision making resembles that of a deer in headlights.
Which subs, tonight for example, are you referring to?
 

Di Maria's angel

Captain of Moanchester United
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Messages
14,796
Location
London
Yep.

Although we were not totally clueless passing the ball under LVG, and could defend under Mourinho. The attacking is very similar to that under Ole in his first 2.5 years, although in Ole's last full season, we were most threatening.

Could be argued that he has combined the worst parts of those three (although Jose and Ole at their worst were much worse).
Truth is, our previous managers put together a number of teams that are lethal at counter attacking. However, with ETH, we're clearly pushing to be a possession based team but a load of our players are simply not comfortable on the ball. I know Eriksen was poor against Villa but without him, we have absolutely nobody outside of the defence who can actually keep the ball under pressure and pick out a pass. I'm glad this game has gone, still think we're making top 4. After West Ham, we'll have plenty of rest in between games and we can go in with our best (possible) XI. Having someone as shit as Fred in the middle where we need to keep the ball is going to hinder us every time - not simply blaming him but there's a massive drop off when Eriksen doesn't play and Fred takes his place.
 

RedDevilQuebecois

Full Member
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
8,157
A lot of people embarrassing themselves in here tonight.
Then you better ask yourself how is Ten Hag is not already embarrassing himself. Until we can go at it on the transfer market again, his job description also includes looking at solutions from the inside.

If he does not trust some of the adults on the team, then give the opportunities to a few kids like you would expect from a former Ajax man. I prefer seeing Joe Hugill coming on for 30-35 minutes rather than seeing Anthony Martial laying eggs or Weghorst ghosting in front of goal. I also prefer seeing Pellistri being given a shot at playing the inverted winger role on the left rather than seeing more of Jadon "Big Pussy" Sancho doing nothing again.
 

Mr. Robot

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Oct 5, 2022
Messages
673
What worries me is how the players can still look utterly clueless on the ball and how we can't seem to string more than 3 passes together. I've got full faith in him sorting it out but tiredness cannot be an excuse for fully fledged professionals not knowing how to pass a fecking football.
Half the players are shite, that's why! And he knows this!

Everyone who moans about ETH, look at Klopp's first Liverpool side:




And now look at their 11. Klopp gutted that team over time.

ETH will do the same. We can't keep sacking managers because you lot have no patience.
 

UDontMessWith24

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
4,023
It's been almost one season and frankly we don't really play any better than we did with Solskjaer. We'll turn up and get an impressive result now and then, we'll squeeze out a few narrow wins after struggling to control the game, and you always get the feeling we're not far away from a thrashing. You never know what team is going to turn up, and even if a a decent version turns up it only lasts for 45 minutes. It's two steps forward and two steps back at this club. Things change without anything really changing. We tread water and never look like making any significant progress to make it to the next level

I like Ten Hag. But we have to be honest about where we're at
We've played midweek fixtures consecutively almost half a year. We've lost both starting center backs to injury. If you don't understand the effects of these things, maybe football is not for you. Go watch senior golf nobody gets tired there.
 

RORY65

Full Member
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
4,537
Look at the effort Arsenal have put in and they'll probably come up short. We are not sniffing the league anytime soon trying some of this new age football with Klopp and Guardiola around. Hopefully we lean into the counter attack even more next season especially with the likes of Bruno and Marcus in their prime.
What new age football? We have the 6th highest possession in the league, closer to Wolves than the likes of City, Liverpool and Arsenal, and Brighton have had vastly more possession than us twice in 2 weeks. We're not really playing any discernable style yet because Ten Hag is a pragmatist who is trying to get through this season with a flawed squad playing a huge number of games in a season congested due to the World Cup.
 

PoTMS

Full Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Messages
16,396
His brand of football is shit. He's been given €250m on top of a group of players that most managers could only dream of so don't give me that he's got shit squad.
 

Nou_Camp99

what would Souness do?
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
10,274
The club for not signing him when he was available much cheaper in the window.
That was because our manager was chasing a midfielder who didn't want to come though. That's why there was a delay.
 

Orion.

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 7, 2022
Messages
150
Plenty of positives, numerous negatives. Cutting losses on Antony and Sancho in the summer should be a priority with recycling whatever money they can generate into one impactful wide player
 

Berbaclass

Fallen Muppet. Lest we never forget
Joined
Jan 23, 2010
Messages
39,125
Location
Cooper Station
Then you better ask yourself how is Ten Hag is not already embarrassing himself. Until we can go at it on the transfer market again, his job description also includes looking at solutions from the inside.

If he does not trust some of the adults on the team, then give the opportunities to a few kids like you would expect from a former Ajax man. I prefer seeing Joe Hugill coming on for 30-35 minutes rather than seeing Anthony Martial laying eggs or Weghorst ghosting in front of goal. I also prefer seeing Pellistri being given a shot at playing the inverted winger role on the left rather than seeing more of Jadon "Big Pussy" Sancho doing nothing again.
:houllier:
 

KiD MoYeS

Good Craig got his c'nuppins
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
32,987
Location
Love is Blind
At least these recent games will help paint a clearer picture for Ten Hag. He will surely know now he cannot continue with the likes of Martial, Fred, Sancho et. al.
 

redNATION

Full Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2015
Messages
1,366
Location
Near the Tannhäuser Gate
What you can't understand for some reason is the effect this insane fixture congestion has on human beings made of flesh and blood. It's not that complicated
You haven’t been watching us the whole season clearly, our away form against top 12 is shocking, and that goes back to the start of the season when tiredness wasn’t an excuse. But if it makes you feel better keep on believing that.
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
16,946
Plenty of positives, numerous negatives. Cutting losses on Antony and Sancho in the summer should be a priority with recycling whatever money they can generate into one impactful wide player
There’s no way we will sell Antony and we won’t be able to sell Sancho, his wages are way too high.
 

Ludens the Red

Full Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
17,488
Location
London
Why does he keep bringing on Weghorst?
Like what is it achieving ?
Everytime he comes on we literally lose any sort of attacking momentum. We were getting back into that game today and he throws on the donkey again.
Anthony Elanga is very very shit but he has pace and he isn’t as shit as Weghorst: dump him up front.
The minute Weghorst comes on, the opposition know they can relax and push up the pitch.
I can’t actually fathom how he keeps doing this. If we drop out the top four this season it will be predominantly his fault for insisting on this stupidity.
 

TsuWave

Full Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2013
Messages
14,306
I want people to stop being petulant brats and understand what has been asked of these players the latter half of the season. How do you not understand that?
equating criticism and questioning with being petulant brats is a bit odd. It can’t all be praise. we’re not a cult.
 

Revan

Assumptionman
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
49,638
Location
London
Truth is, our previous managers put together a number of teams that are lethal at counter attacking. However, with ETH, we're clearly pushing to be a possession based team but a load of our players are simply not comfortable on the ball. I know Eriksen was poor against Villa but without him, we have absolutely nobody outside of the defence who can actually keep the ball under pressure and pick out a pass. I'm glad this game has gone, still think we're making top 4. After West Ham, we'll have plenty of rest in between games and we can go in with our best (possible) XI. Having someone as shit as Fred in the middle where we need to keep the ball is going to hinder us every time - not simply blaming him but there's a massive drop off when Eriksen doesn't play and Fred takes his place.
Fair enough. But then you have Brighton* and Newcastle* who actually can pass, and one might wonder if the players are not the only problem.

* Both with managers who didn't need more than two weeks to have the team playing nice football. Unlike United where the first year is for manager to 'learn'.
 

Livvie

Executive Manager being kept sane only by her madn
Scout
Joined
Jun 5, 2000
Messages
41,730
Ole finished 2nd and 3rd
I know. And a final that we lost on penalties (still lost, I know). Did the players let him down and are now doing the same to ETH? This has gone on for 10 years plus now. Maybe an easy excuse but I think there's something rotten at the heart of the club and it needs cutting out in order for us to improve. There is no soul at the club any more, and it starts - imo - with the toxicity that's in control.
 

AndySmith1990

Full Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2021
Messages
6,253
I've been happy with what he's done for the most part, but lately we really seem to be regressing. Our pressing is basically non-existent and we can't play out from the back at all. I thought we were getting modern football with this guy?

Played some decent stuff earlier in the season but now it's all counter attacking and hoof ball. And the substitutions are very questionable... why is he still bringing in Wout every game. He's absolutely useless.
This is what I mean. We bring in different managers, bring in different players, but we always revert back to type. It's been going on for years. We're basically in exactly the same place as we were post-Moyes. Some decent players, some terrible players, glaring weaknesses in certain positions; lack of pressing; unable to keep possession. It's like we're cursed and we simply cannot play modern football no matter what we change. Either that or the core group of players at United are utter dickheads who keep sabotaging our progress
 

kouroux

45k posts to finally achieve this tagline
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
96,154
Location
Djibouti (La terre des braves)
No, but the players look burnt out as its a trend to have second half dips now. Ten hag should be managing the squad better and that includes making better subs.
Tbh, even early in the season, when the matches weren't as frequent as now, Brighton still played clearly better than Man Utd. There is a curse placed on our club.
We are just not meant to play consistently well

edit:@AndySmith1990 we basically posted the same thing :lol:
 

Telsim

Full Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2021
Messages
4,897
He is being pragmatic, but God, I hate the football we play. It's Oleball shit all over again. I hate counter-attacking football. I'm hoping this is growing pains, but the situation in the team looks as dire as ever. He must deliver a different brand and quality of football next season.
 

UDontMessWith24

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
4,023
You haven’t been watching us the whole season clearly, our away form against top 12 is shocking, and that goes back to the start of the season when tiredness wasn’t an excuse. But if it makes you feel better keep on believing that.
Who gives a flying feck. It's absolutely a factor now
 

Mr. Robot

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Oct 5, 2022
Messages
673
I don't want him on the pitch unless we are winning by 3 goals at least (which never happens). I'm sick to death of seeing play for the team. He makes us play with 10 players
No, I meant the manager. Who would you replace ETH with end of the season (if you were in charge etc etc)
 

thegregster

Harbinger of new information
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
13,567
I want people to stop being petulant brats and understand what has been asked of these players the latter half of the season. How do you not understand that?
Joe and Ole were heavily criticised on here for lack of rotation. ETH should be no different. If we are running out if steam its on him. We should have prioritised the league. League cups,Europa Leagues or FA cups won't cut it long term.