Bobby Boucher
Manchester United fans were left fuming after a crushing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with many calling for manager Erik ten Hag to be sacked. The defeat was particularly painful for the Red Devils, who found themselves a goal behind just three minutes into the match. Adding to their woes, captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off later in the first half, leaving United in disarray.
The early stages of the game set a worrying tone for United, as Tottenham capitalized on defensive frailties. Brennan Johnson put the home side ahead after latching onto a cross from Mickey van de Ven, giving Spurs a lead they never relinquished. Bruno Fernandes was then shown a red card for a rash challenge on James Maddison, an incident that further unravelled United’s performance.
Spurs capitalized on their momentum in the second half, with Dejan Kulusevski scoring early on, extending Tottenham’s lead and deepening United’s troubles. As the game wore on, Manchester United’s traveling supporters expressed their frustration, chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” in reference to Ten Hag.
Towards the latter stages of the match, Dominic Solanke added a third goal, cementing the result. By that point, several United fans appeared to have made up their minds about the Dutch manager, with many expressing their dissatisfaction before halftime.
🚨⚪️ Spurs beat Man United at Old Trafford…
3 defeats, 2 wins, 1 draw for Man United in Premier League with 5 goals scored and 8 conceded. 🤯📉
7 points in 6 games. 12th. pic.twitter.com/FkwbFL4oMs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 29, 2024
He got the strikers he wanted
He got the midfielders he wanted
He got the defenders he wanted
He got the goalkeeper he wantedInto the 3rd season and ZERO identity or style of play and tactically inept. TEN HAG OUT. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/5xCfubSNuh
— Man United Media (@ManUnitedMedia) September 29, 2024
Man utd in a nutshell🤣😅 #ManUnited #tenhag #masonmount #urgarte pic.twitter.com/KyeoIEuLy4
— Mudzimu (@Mudzimu8) September 29, 2024
Gary Neville’s Verdict: “An Absolute Disgrace”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville didn’t mince his words in his assessment of the team’s first-half performance, particularly singling out Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes for criticism. Neville, who was commentating for Sky Sports, described the display as one of the worst he had seen under Ten Hag’s tenure.
“It just sums up Manchester United in this first half, to be fair they’ve been an absolute disgrace,”
Neville stated.
“It’s one of the worst performances I’ve seen in Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United and that’s saying something.”
Fernandes’ sending off was a focal point of the match, and Neville speculated that there may have been more to the incident than first appeared:
“When players react like that, it means something has gone on that we haven’t seen initially. He’s gone knee-high, Bruno Fernandes. I think he slips just before the tackle but he’s not going to get away with it.”
Neville also directed sharp criticism at Marcus Rashford, whose mistake contributed to Tottenham’s opening goal. Rashford’s touch was poor, and Neville was clear in his disappointment:
“Rubbish from him. Marcus Rashford, it’s poor to be honest, his touch is heavy and awful and he’s got to do better than that. Even if he dives in and gives a foul away.”
The Road Ahead for Manchester United
The defeat to Tottenham raises significant questions about the direction of Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. Despite receiving support from fans earlier in his tenure, the recent run of poor results has caused many to reconsider. The squad has shown flashes of potential but has lacked consistency, and now the team seems further away from their goals than ever.
The criticism directed at Ten Hag reflects broader frustrations about United’s tactics and discipline on the pitch. With the season in full swing, it remains to be seen if the manager can rally the squad and secure the results needed to ease the pressure from both fans and pundits alike. His future at Old Trafford is certainly under scrutiny, and any further stumbles could have lasting repercussions for both the club and his career in English football.
Manchester United will need to regroup quickly if they are to turn their season around. Whether Ten Hag remains the man to lead them forward is a question that may soon need answering. For now, the Dutchman must find a way to reconnect with a disillusioned fanbase and reignite a faltering team.
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