Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has found himself in the eye of a storm following a particularly frustrating 1-1 draw against Twente in their opening match of the Europa League. The draw, which took place at Old Trafford, has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a confident start to United’s European campaign.
Manchester United had entered the match with high expectations, eager to make a strong statement in Europe. The early stages of the game seemed promising when Christian Eriksen struck to give United a 1-0 lead, sending the fans into a frenzy. However, the excitement was short-lived. Eriksen, who had initially been the hero, became the villain later in the game. A costly mistake on his part allowed Twente’s Sam Lammers to score an equalizer, leaving the match hanging in the balance at 1-1. This moment of lapse from Eriksen proved to be a turning point, as it deflated United’s momentum and gave Twente the lifeline they needed.
In a bid to turn the tide and secure a win, Ten Hag made several strategic substitutions. He introduced Kobbie Mainoo, a young midfielder with a lot of promise, along with seasoned players like Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund. Perhaps the most talked-about change was the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho, a young winger who has been touted as one of United’s brightest prospects. However, this substitution soon became a hot topic of debate and criticism.
Ruud Gullit, the legendary Dutch footballer, did not hold back in his critique of Ten Hag’s handling of Garnacho’s introduction. According to Gullit, Ten Hag might have overcomplicated things by giving Garnacho too many instructions right before he took the field. Gullit argued that this might have interfered with the young player’s focus and hindered his performance. “I saw Erik ten Hag constantly talking to Garnacho before he went on,” Gullit remarked. “In a situation like that, the only thing going through a player’s mind is: ‘Can you just let me play?’”
Garnacho, who was brought on in the 67th minute to replace Amad Diallo, struggled to make a significant impact despite his fresh legs and undeniable talent. His presence did little to alter the course of the game, and United continued to search in vain for a winning goal. This raised further questions about whether the managerial decisions made during the match were the right ones.
Gullit’s criticism wasn’t limited to just the handling of Garnacho. He went on to express his disappointment with Manchester United’s overall performance. “I’m not shocked by the football Manchester United displayed tonight,” Gullit stated. “We’ve come to expect this level of performance now. And considering how much money Erik ten Hag has spent on this squad, it’s even more disappointing.”
This 1-1 draw against Twente wasn’t just a blip; it marked United’s second consecutive disappointing result, adding to the growing concerns about the team’s ability to close out matches. After the game, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from expressing his own frustrations. Speaking to TNT Sports, he candidly acknowledged the team’s failure to maintain their lead and finish the game strongly. “We were in control, leading 1-0 and dictating the game, but we needed to maintain that level of consistency. Instead, we let them back into the match. We gave away the goal, which was our own fault.”
Ten Hag also highlighted the missed opportunities that could have sealed the victory. “We didn’t capitalize when we had the chance,” he lamented. “We should have gone for another goal, but we allowed them to stay in the game. In the end, we were punished for our mistake.”
The manager’s comments underscore a worrying trend for Manchester United—a recurring inability to finish matches strongly. This has left fans and pundits alike questioning Ten Hag’s strategy and his ability to get the best out of a squad brimming with talent. Despite the depth and quality of the team, United’s recent performances have fallen short of expectations, leading to mounting pressure on Ten Hag to find solutions and turn things around as they continue their Europa League journey and domestic competitions.
This result has also sparked broader concerns about Ten Hag’s tactical decisions and his use of substitutions. The consistency of United’s performances, or lack thereof, remains a significant issue. The fans, who had high hopes at the beginning of the season, are now left wondering whether Ten Hag can steer the ship back on course or if the team’s struggles will continue to haunt them in the crucial weeks ahead. As Manchester United navigate these turbulent waters, the spotlight remains firmly on Erik ten Hag and his ability to lead the team through these c
hallenging times.