Erik ten Hag was defiant in the face of defeat this weekend. The Dutchman, insisted, that progress has been made at Manchester United even if the optics told a different story.
The manner in which Liverpool eased to three points at Old Trafford was regrettably familiar for those in the home stands. A new season, and a new manager, but the same Liverpool side who have now scored 3+ goals in six of the last meetings between the teams. Ten Hag has been in charge for half of them.
This was supposed to be the biggest test for Arne Slot so far. By some stretch, it wasn’t. Liverpool were industrious and irrepressible, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah electric. Slot’s midfield swarmed around Casemiro, whose days at this level are surely numbered. Hooked at half-time, this was a harrowing experience for a rapidly declining player who has been accustomed to stamping his mark on games of this stature.
If the performance was concerning, Ten Hag’s post-match comments should be even more so. The Dutchman defended his team in a heated exchange with the press, comments which could be interpreted as deflection, or worse, delusion.
“Maybe you can explain to me which mistakes we make regularly?” Ten Hag challenged the journalists post-match.
When pressed on his side’s repetitive squandering of possession inside their own half and conceding of chances to opposition sides, Ten Hag refused to back down.
“Are you sure? I don’t think so otherwise you wouldn’t win trophies as we did, to beat big opponents. I think after Manchester City we won the most trophies in English football. So, I’m sorry for you.”
🗣️ “Maybe you can explain to me which mistakes we made regularly?”
A FIERY exchange between Ten Hag and a reporter after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford 🔥pic.twitter.com/c2kHCfHE1o
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 2, 2024
The numbers, however, can lie. Manchester United’s xG (1.36) was not overly inferior to Liverpool’s (1.73) on Sunday but the bulk of the Red Devils’ chances came at 3-0 down and with the game over as a contest.
Similarly, Ten Hag’s argument of trophies won carries less weight when assessed alongside league performance. Arguably the key factor for determining consistency and progress, United have gone backwards. Their eighth-place finish last season was the club’s lowest since 1989/90 with European football only salvaged through their morale-lifting FA Cup win. A cup win that perhaps prevented Ten Hag from leaving in the summer.
How Arne Slot masterminded Liverpool’s win at Manchester United 👨🏫 pic.twitter.com/vFblmfvtzJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 2, 2024
Over two seasons in and Ten Hag’s team still lacks identity, while question marks remain over his coaching capabilities, with Slot’s post-match breakdown of Liverpool’s win offering insight into a tactical nous Ten Hag has not always shown. His refusal to acknowledge his team’s obvious shortcomings should have alarm bells ringing.
Manchester United rank second in world football for gross spend and net spending since Ten Hag’s arrival but appear to be no closer to the Premier League’s top teams.
The excuses, and lack of individual accountability, are starting to wear thin.
