Manchester United

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Manchester United may have shown glimpses of improvement in some areas in the early stages of the season, but football is a results business, especially in M16.

And there is only so much that even the most patient of fans - a reputation I try my best to uphold, at least publicly - can accept.

Back-to-back 3-0 league defeats at home is the definition of unacceptable. I could repeat the stronger adjectives I used on Sunday, but that is the part I will keep private.

The official word is Ineos remains supportive of Erik ten Hag, who is expected to oversee this week's daunting trips to Porto and Aston Villa.

That goes against the intensifying cries for change coming from an increasing number of fans tired of watching their team falter and fall while rivals triumph and thrive.

Yet there is a key element many are forgetting, and it could be the core reason why Ten Hag was offered a third season in the dugout when Ineos was unconvinced in the first place.

It boils down to financials. United recently made about 250 employees redundant as part of a ruthless cost-cutting process overseen by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The club faced paying about £10m to terminate the final year of Ten Hag's contract in the summer. Now, after the decision to trigger the extension in his deal as a show of faith, he has 21 months left.

Ineos can ill afford many more hiccups so early in what has been advertised as the start of a new era at United.

Splashing what would now be as much as £18m to sack a manager months after backing him with another £200m in the transfer market would not be a good look.

However, letting such glaring mediocrity continue could prove even more costly.

It is a dilemma the next two matches will help answer.

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New York Times journalist Rory Smith says Manchester United show "no sign of progress or of having a plan" under Erik ten Hag - which is "remarkable" given he signed a new contract in the summer.

"There is nothing new to say about Ten Hag and United," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "It might not be an unprecedented situation, but it is quite a remarkable one.

"As we all know, they interviewed him for his own job in the summer and then gave him a new contract, but they are exactly where they were last season.

"The Spurs performance is not a one-off. It is not the first time it has happened and it will not be the last under Ten Hag. There is no sign of progress or a plan.

"I take no pleasure in watching him slowly dwindle away, but I also don’t understand how United have got themselves into this position."

Listen to the full discussion on the Monday Night Club

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The consensus on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains very much split among BBC Sport readers.

Here are some of your comments:

Daniel: Why always blame the manager? He puts out what he thinks is his best team only to be let down. Stop blaming the manager and blame the players who couldn’t care less. Start a rebuild with people who are proud to wear the jersey.

John: This was another poor performance by United and the red card for Bruno Fernandes should not mask the inadequacy of the team's preparedness for this match. Ten Hag is out of his depth for a club like Manchester United. No idea, no team structure and no plan to recover from where we are. The new hierarchy should now show what they are made of and make the necessary changes.

Steve: Why is everybody jumping on the bandwagon and clamouring for Ten Hag to be sacked? Let's just all calm down a bit here. Yes, they have been awful. Yes, the players look lost. However, it's early in the season with a lot of new players who will take a bit of time to gel together. No need for any 'Ta Ra Erik' banners yet. Keep the faith.

Anthony: The club is a disaster. It all went wrong soon after Sir Alex Ferguson's departure because, I would say, they had not recognised the significance. How many times have they changed the manager? How much have they spent on star signings? New ownership, new management team and still the same look. Should Ten Hag go? Of course. He has not turned it around.

John: I felt sorry for the situation at Old Trafford on Sunday. United had four new players in the team and lots still recovering from injuries. I have seen worse United performances over the years, including the year they got relegated. I would just sell Marcus Rashford and give the manager until the end of the year. I have supported since 1963.

Paul: Embarrassing. No plan and no encouragement from the manager. I hate to say it, but Ten Hag is playing the same old way as last season! We need a change now - and not Gareth Southgate!

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Ineos is responsible for the situation Manchester United are in because they kept manager Erik ten Hag on this summer despite two below average seasons.

United lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham on Sunday - a result that left them 13th in the Premier League, with seven points from their opening six games.

"I don't think it was the scoreline that has caused this reaction," said Sutton. "It was how the whole game panned out.

"At the start of this season you could have probably put United and Tottenham into a similar category in terms of where they will be at the end of the season. But [Spurs manager] Ange Postecoglou has an identity and United, under Erik ten Hag, lack one.

"I don't think this is on Ten Hag now - it is on Ineos. They all must be talking to each other at the top of the club. In the summer they were actively looking for somebody else, so it's not that they really rated Ten Hag as such. He won the FA Cup and he was just OK.

"I don't think United should be viewed by people as a cup team.

"If we were to look forward three months, do we honestly see this Manchester United team improving under Ten Hag based on what he has spent and what he has achieved?"

New York Times journalist Rory Smith tells BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that he has sympathy for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag amid more media speculation about his future at Old Trafford.

"Having a professional disappointment be dragged out so endlessly must be humiliating and agonising. On a human level, it's really hard not to feel sorry for him.

"He has not fulfilled what he was meant to do at Manchester United and it's hard to see a way in which it all ends OK and he gets what he wants from the job."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

As expected, the fallout from Sunday's defeat by Tottenham continues and Manchester United dominate Tuesday's newspaper back pages.

Erik ten Hag is "safe - for now" but could Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi be a viable replacement should the Dutchman be sacked?

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath discussed Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke sealed the win for Spurs, while Bruno Fernandes saw red late in the first half to complete a miserable day for United.

"At first I thought this was the worst performance I've ever seen at Old Trafford, then I thought it was the worst performance under Erik ten Hag in any stadium and then I thought, actually, it's the worst Manchester United performance I've seen in my lifetime," McGrath said.

"I can't think of a performance that was so lacking in any sort of belief that Manchester United were ever going to get anything out of the game than that one. They were horrendous from the first whistle.

"Spurs were better at everything. They were faster, stronger, more tactically adept and they were playing their way through Manchester United players like a knife through butter.

"I was reporting on the game and in work mode but had to switch to fan mode because I had to get across just how embarrassed I was as a Manchester United fan that I had to watch a group of players that firstly didn't look any good and also looked like a team set up in a way that they didn't know how to play football with each other against a very well-coached team.

"Despite that, on paper, I still think that Manchester United's starting XI is better than Spurs' starting XI. They didn't even have the best player. It was a shambles - the worst I've ever seen. It was terrible."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Inter Milan's Simone Inzaghi and former England boss Gareth Southgate are serious contenders to take over as Manchester United manager should the club sack Erik ten Hag. (Star), external

Ruud van Nistelrooy will also be considered after returning to United as an assistant coach over the summer. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Gaz Drinkwater, co-host of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that he thought Erik ten Hag would have been dismissed following Sunday's home defeat to Tottenham.

United look set to stick with manager Ten Hag for matches against Porto and Aston Villa this week.

"It has got to the point now where it feels like we have just delayed the inevitable," Drinkwater said. "There's a new setup at the club and the decisions are being made by people who understand football, rather than those involved in the Glazer family.

"I thought under Ineos, and the way they looked at replacing him in the summer anyway, that it would be different news this morning.

"Instead he has two more games before the international break which have to go well for him to remain at the club.

"I can't see that happening."

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Former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "United didn't play well at all. But sometimes you get games of two halves and I thought, you know, Tottenham were by far the better team.

"Bruno Fernandes is such an important player and for him to get the red card, I think that was what really threw a spanner in the works and once they conceded straight after half-time there was no coming back from then.

"Leadership has been a real problem for United and you know that is definitely an issue that you know, we'd have to to solve.

"The only thing that Erik ten Hag can do is just focus on the next game. That's the only thing he can do. He has to focus on and and make sure he gets the plan ready for a better performance against Porto."

The latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed on BBC Sounds.

Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath look back at 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford and discuss whether this is the beginning of the end for Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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BBC Sport Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on the weekend's football.

Oden asked: Hi Phil, All I hear/read everywhere is 'harsh sending off' of Bruno Fernandes because the studs didn't hit James Maddison. Well, Fernandes had such bad control of his body that he slipped and still makes the tackle knee high without any chance at all of reaching the ball. Sheer luck, I say, that Maddison’s knee was higher than knee-high so he got hit on the leg. Is it really good for football that we almost need a severe injury for a red card to be considered? Don’t like it myself.

Phil answered: Hello, Oden, I thought it was a red card but Fernandes was slightly unlucky in that he did slip as he went in to make the tackle. Not sure that was bad control of his body, simply a treacherous surface. It was desperation that forced him to raise his foot like that and I have no problem with the referee’s decision.

Happily no harm was done to James Maddison and Erik ten Hag’s claim that the red card "changed the game" was nonsensical. Spurs were running riot even before that incident.

Ricky asked: Hi Phil, sorry but to dismiss the idea that the red card had no impact is laughable. How many times do you see teams come out after a poor first half and turn a game around especially when they are only 1-0 down.

Also, the red card is arguably one of the worst sending offs in recent years, at worst a yellow, if that. That said, I have no words of defence for the overall United performance especially that first half. Ten Hag probably needs to go as I’m not sure the players want to play for him let alone the shirt and the fans.

Phil answered: Hi, Ricky. You are more than welcome to disagree and thank you for doing it in a constructive way. It’s what the Q&A is here for.

I took the strongest issue with Ten Hag’s suggestion it "changed the game". It made United’s task even harder but it did not "change the game". United were being outclassed well before Fernandes was sent off. In fact they were outclassed from the first whistle.

I actually agreed with the red card but certainly had sympathy for Fernandes, who acted in a bit of desperation having slipped, so he was a bit unlucky.

As for United, this was as bad as I’ve seen under Ten Hag. No discernible strategy or game plan and a complete lack of discipline.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and all the day's football action here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Perry: Erik ten Hag needs to go. Simple as that. There has been no improvement in performances since his arrival. He is doing a disservice to some of the real quality we do have like Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and a couple of others. We have no style of play or identity. It is becoming so hard to watch them. Shocking today. Absolutely shocking.

David: Completely shambolic from United - lack of confidence, enthusiasm and discipline. Ten Hag has to go now because these players are good players as individuals. It’s the manager’s responsibility to create team spirit amongst the quality players that we have!

Mark: Thought last year was as bad as it would get. Thought Ineos was the new start we needed. Convinced that Ten Hag is not the right manager to take us forward and our start is even more embarrassing than the whole of last season. Enough is enough. Needs sorting now and even then the season is at serious risk.

Alan: They have won two trophies but I still don't see much of a team yet. Loose passes all over the pitch, poor response to losing the ball, ineffective in attack, wide open in defence and almost never the same team played twice. I want them to do well but just don't expect much from them anymore. Sadly, not a surprise today.

Tottenham fans

Doug: Fantastic result - we should have won by a lot more. We’re going from strength to strength and clicking so much more as a team. So chuffed Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson scored again. Good to see the starting players rested and the young players given some valuable minutes. Surely even the negative ones of our fanbase can see the direction we are heading now.

Robert: Sensational performance. The best in a very long time. Completely outclassed United. Could and probably should have won by a bigger margin. Hopefully, this will kickstart our season. More please!

Nick: Whisper it quietly, but this was yet another dominant display that has been seen all season. We are starting to get the results our performances have warranted. People have forgotten that the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle had to plat ultra defensively to take three points. United couldn't come close to competing with us.

Andy: Sure, I’m hard to please, but don’t judge us too highly after this game. United were simply a disgrace -no running and no spirit. A shambles. Werner’s two clear goal chances might hurt us. He’s a willing runner, he covers well, but as at Chelsea, he loses his nerve and prods the ball anywhere! Our two central defenders were magnificent.

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BBC Sport Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on the weekend's football.

David from Glasgow asked: Hi Phil. Would Ange have been a better fit for Man Utd?

Phil answered: Hello, David. It’s easy to be wise after the event and Ten Hag looked a good fit at the time after his work with Ajax.

I remember how Postecoglou was greeted when he was appointed Celtic manager. I’m sure you will agree he hardly had the red carpet rolled out for him, even though he then did a superb job delivering thrilling attacking football.

I certainly think Postecoglou’s style would have been enjoyed by Manchester United’s fans but he has not won a trophy yet while Ten Hag, for all the criticism, has won two at Old Trafford.

He may well have been a good fit but you just never know and, as I said, it is an easy thing to say now. Ten Hag’s appointment was very well received at the time but I do feel he is under serious pressure now.

Harrison from Johannesburg asked: Hey Phil, what's next for Manchester United? To keep Erik or not and get who? What exactly is the problem with United - players not playing to the manager’s instructions or a Manager that's clueless?

Phil answered: Hello, Harrison. I think the problem is that there is no clear identity to United’s team, no obvious strategy Ten Hag is employing.

Whether it has flaws or not, and it did not yesterday, you can see exactly what Ange Postecoglou is trying to do at Spurs. Pace out wide, attacking style, high defensive line. It is clear.

Look at Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca at Liverpool and Chelsea in particular. They have barely got their feet under the desks but you can see Slot is incorporating the best of what Jurgen Klopp left him with a more measured, controlled style. You can see Maresca is adopting a very obvious passing style, front to back.

What can you see that is positively identifiable with Ten Hag? I’m struggling to be honest.

As for Ten Hag’s future? The reality suggests he is on the brink. He was given an almost reluctant vote of confidence in the summer and there have been no signs of improvement.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and all the day's football action here

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Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy believes Erik ten Hag is currently "more of a tactician than a motivator" at Manchester United.

Speaking on Match of the Day 2, following the Red Devils' 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, Murphy said: "I think he is probably more of a tactician because, from a motivational point of view, we never really see Manchester United play at a real high energy or level.

"I'm talking about players dying for the cause. If you don't do that, the tactics always fall down anyway. You have got to be a motivator first and then the tactics man after."

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones added that Ten Hag's side look like they are "struggling to get into a rhythm and a momentum", after recording two wins and one draw in six Premier League games this season.

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

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Should Bruno Fernandes of seen red for his challenge against James Maddison?

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said it "was a ridiculous decision" on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast because "there was no force" used from the Manchester United captain.

"He slipped going into it and then he has gone to clip him," said Brown.

"He has not gone in with a straight leg to his shin pad. There is a flick on Maddison from the side of his foot, so there was not even that much contact.

"The referee should have gone to the screen and looked at it back in motion. There is no way it is violent conduct and that he deserves to be suspended for three matches."

Listen to the full discussion on the Football Daily Podcast

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Manchester United's loss to Tottenham was "the type of performance which gets the manager the sack."

Ten Hag's side have lost consecutive Premier League matches without scoring at Old Trafford for the first time since November 2021, in what were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final two home games in charge of the club (0-5 v Liverpool and 0-2 v Manchester City).

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Sutton said: "Especially in the first half, Tottenham could have been out of sight, and do you know what? It was 'Angeball' at its best. There is no finer sight in the Premier League when Spurs do it right."

Following Ten Hag's post-match comments, Sutton added: "How many times have we heard Erik Ten Hag come out with comments like that 'we will learn from it?

"He's got verbal diarrhoea - I don't know what game he was watching. And, the lap at the end, it's is a lap for losers.

"If I'm a Manchester United fan and I'm hearing my manager come out and make out that the sending off changed the game - they got slaughtered in the first half.

"Slaughtered. Spurs should have been out of sight, I've never heard so much rubbish."

Listen to Sutton's comments here

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Former Premier League midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker and Michael Brown believe Manchester United's players lack connection and "are not a team".

In the aftermath of a 3-0 home defeat to Spurs, the two pundits unpicked United's current state.

"What can be said about them that has not been said before?" Re-Coker said on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "They have no identity, there is no culture, and none of it represents what Manchester United once were as a club. That is the scary thing.

"I don’t see any leaders on the pitch, or what it means to where the shirt which is the foundations of what the club was built on.

"It is funny Erik ten Hag says his players are ‘great characters’ because we are not seeing that. There is a lack of connectivity between Ten Hag and the big players within the team. I don’t feel that they believe in the manager anymore, or in themselves, to win matches. All of that stems from the manager.

"It is Ten Hag’s job to motivate them and get to them to perform at the highest level and he is struggling with that. There is only really one outcome left and that is change."

Brown added: "It has been a difficult situation for some time but I don’t see an improvement in the structure of the team. The summer's recruitment has made the squad depth better and more balanced, but it hasn’t come to play in the Premier League yet. They are miles off it.

"They are not a team, they are a group of players who are yet to connect and understand what it means to play for each other. The manager is accountable for that and so are the players.

"What is also worrying is that some of the players are speaking out about the lack of effort and desire. That does the manager no favours."

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are considering signing 24-year-old Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, to be an understudy to Andre Onana. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Manchester United are considering former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri as a possible replacement for manager Erik ten Hag. (Caught Offside), external

Want more news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 4-2 Leicester City

• Wolves 1-2 Liverpool

• Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-3 Tottenham