Erik ten Hag's Misfortunes: A Deeper Look at Manchester United's Struggles

Erik ten Hag's recent comments suggest he feels wronged by circumstances surrounding Manchester United's calamitous season. Following the 2-1 defeat at West Ham, he lamented, "In this moment, definitely the luck is not on our side." While there might be some truth to his assertion regarding specific match incidents, the broader picture indicates that the blame for the team's struggles cannot be solely placed on external factors.

As the Premier League season approaches its quarter mark, the evidence is glaring. Manchester United currently sits in 14th place, which is far from their historical norm. In the Europa League, they rank 21st, trailing teams like Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen—teams they would not typically be compared with. Such a decline in performance indicates a significant drop from their once lofty status, with upcoming matches against these teams now taking on a "six-pointer" vibe, emphasizing how far the club has fallen.

While Ten Hag cited injuries as a mitigating factor, leaving him with a depleted bench against West Ham, the implications of these injuries cannot solely justify the team's performance. Despite spending around £600 million during his tenure, the latest signings have yet to yield transformative results. New addition Matthijs de Ligt has struggled defensively, and Manuel Ugarte, although showing flashes of potential, was left on the bench in a match where fatigue visibly affected older players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

While Ten Hag cannot be blamed for every missed opportunity, the persistent lack of goals has become a hallmark of his time in charge. This season’s difficulties are compounded by a troubling trend: United has now lost more away games than it has won under his management.

Despite beginning Sunday’s match by creating numerous scoring chances, the game ended with more unflattering statistics for the club. In a season that was supposed to represent a step forward, the reality is that Manchester United is mired in a cycle of misfortune, mistakes, and missed opportunities—issues that ultimately reflect on the managerial position of Erik ten Hag. His insistence that “it is not about me” ignores the fact that the struggles of the team are intricately linked to his decisions, strategies, and the overall direction of the club.