Erik ten Hag has been criticised by the Danish media following Manchester United’s 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen.
United simply had to win against Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
Defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray left United in a desperate situation and with no margin for error.
This wasn’t a vintage United performance but Harry Maguire stepped up with what proved to be the winner before some late drama.
A late penalty gave Copenhagen a chance to level it up, only for Andre Onana to produce a superb save and send Old Trafford wild.
Danish media critical of Erik ten Hag
United cannot keep living on moments and a narrow win over Copenhagen – which so easily could have become a draw – is unlikely to convince supporters.
It certainly wasn’t enough to convince the Danish media, who were naturally gutted to see Copenhagen narrowly miss out on a big point.
Tipsbladet suggested that Copenhagen’s 35-year-old Jacob Neestrup looked a better manager than Erik ten Hag on Tuesday night – in fact, ‘classes better’.
They suggest that United ‘appeared fumbling’ in possession, lacked any quality in build-up play and looked all over the place with pressing.
Tipsbladet loved what they saw from Copenhagen, suggesting that Neestrup had made his team into a more cohesive unit than what Ten Hag has produced at United.
“If a coach is to be judged solely on how well the 11 selected appear as a team, then Jacob Neestrup is a far better coach than Erik ten Hag. Yes, classes better! Where Manchester United appeared fumbling, unsure of play towards the forwards and an uncoordinated pressure, FCK was exactly the opposite,” they wrote.
My view: Ten Hag must start to show progression soon
United keep having positive moments but they are just that – moments.
The late goals from Scott McTominay against Brentford, the stunning winner from Diogo Dalot at Sheffield United, and now a key penalty save from Onana.
These moments keep getting United out of jail but without any real progression in terms of the overall performance levels.
This just can’t continue; United fans need to see clear progress on the pitch.
We have backed Ten Hag and believe he still deserves time to get United clicking again after encouraging signs last season.
There are big injury problems to contend with right now, which doesn’t make life easy for Ten Hag.
United look disjointed at the moment though, and lacking any clear philosophy on the pitch, which feels like a huge backwards step from last season.
We need to see better moving forward – or Ten Hag will find himself under increasing pressure.
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