Just a day after suffering a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, Manchester United find themselves in a precarious situation as a critical fact threatens the job security of manager Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils’ defensive woes were once again on display at Stamford Bridge, with their vulnerabilities at the backline costing them crucial points in the Premier League.
Ten Hag, who took over the managerial role at United earlier this season, watched in dismay as his team collapsed in the dying moments of the match against Chelsea. Despite holding a 3-2 lead in the 99th minute, United conceded two late goals, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat that could have significant consequences for the Dutch manager.
The statistics following the defeat paint a grim picture for United under Ten Hag’s leadership. According to reports from Opta, Manchester United have faced a staggering 225 shots in the year 2024, the highest among all clubs in the Premier League. This defensive vulnerability has not gone unnoticed, with rivals like Brentford, Sheffield United, and Luton Town also struggling to keep opposing teams at bay.
The growing disparity in defensive quality between United and their top rivals is evident from the fact that they have conceded more Expected Goals (xG) in their last 10 matches than clubs like Arsenal have in their entire season so far. This worrying trend has put Ten Hag under immense pressure to address the defensive frailties that continue to haunt the Red Devils.
Ten Hag has attributed injuries across the backline as a contributing factor to United’s defensive struggles. However, critics point out that other clubs have also been impacted by injuries but have managed to maintain a stronger defensive record. Furthermore, Ten Hag has a fully fit attacking and midfield lineup at his disposal, raising questions about his ability to organize and improve the team’s defensive resilience.
With United currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League and trailing ninth-placed Tottenham by nine points, their prospects of securing a Champions League spot for the next season are dwindling. The disappointing performance against Chelsea has only exacerbated the pressure on Ten Hag and raised concerns about his future at the helm of the club.
As speculation grows regarding Ten Hag’s job security, it remains to be seen whether the Dutch manager can turn things around for Manchester United and salvage their season. With defensive vulnerabilities threatening their ambitions, the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the fate of both the manager and the team’s aspirations in the Premier League.
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