Four big mistakes Ten Hag has made as Manchester United coach

• Erik Ten Hag has started his tenure at Manchester United on a rough patch
• The Red Devils lost all the first two matches this season and are currently tailing the table
• As much as fans are blaming the Glazers but the coach and the players also have their part to blame

As the new manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has had a difficult time during the first few weeks of his tenure because the Red Devils have hit rock bottom.

United has started the season with two consecutive losses. After suffering, they find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League standings for the first time since August 1992.

The issues plaguing United run through the organisation, from the very top to the bottom. However, Ten Hag is not exempt from responsibility, as the Dutchman has shown a propensity to make errors during his time at Old Trafford.

We look at five mistakes that Erik ten Hag made in his early tenure as manager of Manchester United.

Failure to conduct adequate research on David de Gea

De gea apologised over Manchester United’s lost 4-0 to Brentford . Photo/ Stadium Astro.

David de Gea has issued an apology for his performance in Manchester United’s thrashing away at Brentford. The Spaniard was at fault for both of the initial goals scored by the Bees. He was the one who came out and apologised for it.

On the other hand, De Gea’s inability to adapt to current ways was readily apparent last weekend.

De Gea was sluggish with the ball at his feet, which led to Eriksen scoring the second goal. This was made possible by his terrible pass into his path.

Ten Hag’s strategy of building from the back necessitates having a capable goalkeeper on the ball. Ten Hag’s show of faith in De Gea resulted in a disastrous performance at Brentford.

However, kicking is not the only problem, as the Spaniard hesitates to come off his line or claim high crosses. This is another problem. It has made United susceptible to attack during set pieces.

Allowing De Jong’s pursuit to dominate the summer transfer window

Frenkie De Jong Barcelona. Photo/BeSoccer

The ineffectiveness of United’s player recruitment has been noticed, but the drama surrounding the club’s signings this summer has risen to a new level.

Frenkie de Jong has been all over the transfer news during this current window. Still, even though the two clubs apparently agreed on an initial transfer cost almost a month ago, United is no closer to finalising a deal to acquire the player than they were before.

Ten Hag made De Jong his emphasis after working alongside the Ajax midfielder. He was considered the ideal player to construct his side around, so Ten Hag decided to make him the centre of his team’s strategy.

It is absurd that United would have continued their pursuit without dangling some glimmer of hope in front of them.

This mistakes ten hag has made as manchester united coach

Still, the fact that they have allowed the transaction to drag on for so long without devising any backup plans is not a good reflection on the club orTen Hag.

Changing Christian Eriksen’s role

Christian Eriksen. Photo/MARCA

It was a no-brainer for Manchester United to take advantage of Christian Eriksen’s offer of a free transfer to improve their midfield, especially considering how few other choices they had. Eriksen was brought in to add innovation to the Manchester United midfield.

Last year, Eriksen played an advanced position for Brentford. He has spent much of his career in the Premier League positioned high up the pitch.

Eriksen’s performance in this capacity was outstanding. He started United’s opening weekend match against Brighton as a false nine, but later, he played an unusual midfield role in front of the back four. The match ended in a loss for United.

Erik Ten Hag had anticipated that Eriksen’s technical skill would be enough to adjust to a more defensive position as he attempted to advance the ball from the back to the front of the field.

Brentford’s gamble on Eriksen was another one that turned out to be unsuccessful.

The 30-year-old could not cope with the pressure Brentford applied during the 4-0 loss in west London. He had possession of the ball taken away from him inside his area for the second goal.

An unsuccessful experiment was further highlighted, not because it was necessary, that United must make midfield additions before the deadline to compete.

Supporting Harry Maguire for captaincy

The previous year, when England international Harry Maguire had difficulties with his form and confidence, the club captain’s position was called into doubt.

Maguire’s performances with the Red Devils in the 2021/22 season were riddled with errors. This errors asw him mark a significant decline from the great beginning of his career with the club.

Ten Hag made the decision to keep Harry Maguire as the team’s captain even though David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes, and an unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo were all seen to be better choices to carry the armband in a locker room devoid of leaders.

Despite this, Maguire’s performance over the past year has not been satisfactory enough for him to deserve a spot in the starting lineup, let alone his current role as captain.

Supporting maguire for captaincy mistakes ten hag has made as manchester united coach