'There is still no sign of what Ten Hag's United is supposed to look like'
- Published
New York Times journalist Rory Smith believes there is "still no sign of what Erik ten Hag's Manchester United is supposed to look like" after a 3-1 defeat by Manchester City in Sunday's local derby.
Last season's third-place Premier League finish and Carabao Cup win was heralded as a fine first year under Ten Hag, but results have regressed this term and United are 11 points of the top four with 11 games to go.
"The big thing for me is that if Erik ten Hag, who is getting on for two years in this job, had implemented a clear philosophy, a clear identity and visible system that would be one thing," Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"But, it feels like a hotchpotch and they're getting through every game. That's not good enough for Manchester United.
"If it was Ten Hag's first season you would forgive it and say it's a work in progress, not a problem. Two years in, there is still no sign of what Ten Hag's United is supposed to look like - other than they're sometimes quite good on the counter-attack.
"I like Ten Hag, I loved his Ajax team, and when they appointed him I thought it was the first time in a long time they had made a cutting edge, forward-thinking appointment.
"Now I'd be surprised if he was there next season."
