'Ten Hag surviving only puts off the inevitable'
- Published
A Manchester United-related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.
Simon asked: Given the lack of identity and, more importantly, the inability to score goals, do you think Erik ten Hag will survive the international break or have we seen him manage Manchester United for the last time?
Phil answered: This is the big question. I honestly think if he had lost one of the games at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday or at Aston Villa on Sunday then he would have been in huge trouble.
Two draws may just save him, although that remains to be seen. If he survives, I do feel it is only putting off the inevitable, though - unless there is a swift and dramatic improvement after the international break.
On your point of lack of identity, I totally agree and this is one of the big problems.
We have seen two managers in Arne Slot at Liverpool and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea barely have their feet under the table and yet you can see their identity.
Slot has taken the best of what Jurgen Klopp left him and added a more measured, controlled style, while Maresca’s passing style is self-evident.
What is Ten Hag's preferred style? What is his obvious strategy? I genuinely don't know and this is his third season at Old Trafford.
Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news