Manchester United fans have ruthlessly slated the ‘downgraded’ midfield selection from Erik ten Hag after the Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.
United manager Erik ten Hag picked the same starting XI for the Spurs clash after the Red Devils’ hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford.
Summer signing Mason Mount started in midfield along with Casemiro and United captain Bruno Fernandes, but the trio failed to impress United fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pape Matar Sarr broke the deadlock early in the second half after a horrible deflection from Lisandro Martinez allowed him to volley home past Andre Onana.
Ben Davies ensured Spurs sealed all three points after Ivan Perisic played a low ball into the box and the Tottenham defender’s shot took a deflection off Martinez.
Man United fans unhappy with midfield presence
One fan wrote: “It’s going to be a long season if Manchester United fail to strengthen their midfield this window. [Tottenham vs Man United] so boring.”
Someone else commented: “United are one of the most boring teams to watch in the Premier League.”
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“Terrible football from United… midfield non-existent,” a third tweeted.
Another Twitter user posted: “United midfield still poor at holding possession and dictating the pace of the [match vs Spurs]. Will we ever solve this perennial problem?”
While another added: “This Manchester United midfield is a downgrade from last season.”
And a sixth said: “United have been really poor today. No midfield whatsoever.”
Ten Hag already sent warning about United midfield
Ten Hag already voiced his concerns over United’s midfield performance after his side secured three points in their Premier League opener.
The former Ajax manager insisted that United’s midfield trio need to “improve in possession” and the new midfield needs to “step up” in their performances.
“It’s a new midfield and we have step up there,” he said (via Planet Sport).
“We have to improve in possession. We were absolutely not good.
“It had to do with our rules and principles and we did not match those rules and principles in possession and then you do not get a good game.
“Also the players made so many unforced errors and we were below our standards from what we are used to and what our players are capable of.
“We have already seen in pre-season we can do much better and we’ve seen last year they can do much better so I’m sure they will improve quickly.”