Home » Has Erik ten Hag taken Manchester United forward this season, having suffered nine league defeats?

Has Erik ten Hag taken Manchester United forward this season, having suffered nine league defeats?

by Conner Botterill

Manchester United’s marathon season is reaching its conclusion, with just four league games left to play.

There is also the small matter of the FA Cup final against Manchester City on the horizon, which will bring the curtain down on Erik ten Hag’s first campaign in charge at the club.

Despite looking a sure-fire bet to finish in the top four, back-to-back league defeats have left United with work to do to secure Champions League football for next season.

United need three wins from their remaining Premier League games to guarantee their spot at Europe’s top table next year.

Qualification for the Champions League coupled with the Carabao Cup won in February and reaching the FA Cup final would surely represent a season of progress under the new regime.

However, as reported by The Sun, there are suggestions United have failed to make significant enough strides forward under Erik ten Hag.

United have lost nine Premier League games this season, which is more than they lost in each of two seasons under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tutelage.

Solskjaer’s side lost eight games under his guidance in 2019/20 and just six in the 2020/2021 season.

Ten Hag’s nine league losses leaves him behind Solskjaer’s record, leading to questions over the progress, or lack of, he has overseen.

The Sun reports that a cluster of fans have raised the issue online, questioning Ten Hag’s record in comparison to Ole’s, with some even calling for his head.

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer I owe you an apology. You were never this bad. I am officially Ten Hag out from now on,” wrote one fan.

“Ten Hag is starting to give me Solskjaer flashbacks,” said another, with a third labelling him a fraud.

“Erik Ten Hag is a fraud, the Carabao Cup is the only difference between him and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.” they wrote.

There have also been some damning defeats along the way which don’t help the Dutchman’s cause; Manchester City thumped six past United in October, before Liverpool went one better at Anfield in March, scoring seven without reply.

However, as reported by Red Billy for The Peoples Person, Ten Hag has had to deal with a mountain of issues this season and in ending the club’s six year trophy drought as well as overseeing a much needed change in culture at Old Trafford, the season surely marks one of progress.

Despite United’s wobbles this year, there is no doubt a Champions League finish and a trophy would represent a strong maiden campaign for the new boss.

Of course, United need upgrades across the park to reach the next level, but they should trust the man in the dugout who has shown enough in his first season to suggest he has what it takes to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams.

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