Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is enduring a very challenging second season, still unable to fix the team’s away form woes.
The latest away defeat was a 1-0 loss to Newcastle at the weekend, which curiously saw not a single outfield player signed by Erik ten Hag selected in the starting line-up.
With that in mind, it probably was not a surprise Ten Hag was not able to cook up a victory, but it certainly asks a few questions.
Several of the manager’s signings, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen were out injured, while others, Antony, Sofyan Amrabat, Rasmus Hojlund, Sergio Reguilon, were simply not selected and left on the bench.
Ten Hag signings scrutinised
While many of his signings are injured, it’s certainly a peculiar situation that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag found himself in at the weekend, when Andre Onana was the only player in the line-up that he acquired.
The club’s recruitment policy is expected to undergo an overhaul once Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s takeover is passed.
Following the weekend’s defeat to Newcastle, Ten Hag’s signing record was discussed on NBC Sports’ post-game show.
Robbie Mustoe says that one one Manchester United player signed by Erik ten Hag can really be considered a success, and he says this is placing major pressure on the manager, due to poor results.
He said: “[It’s] half a billion dollars over three transfer windows that he’s had now, and we still have this situation with the team where very few players have been big successes.
“Lisandro Martinez I’d say is a success, other than that you are buying players, stop-gaps, maybe experienced players [to fill in].
“It is a mess, I just think to the end of the season let’s see where he’s at. For me, if they don’t get in the top four, given the signings, given the lack of productivity from these guys, may be its time for a change again.
“I know that’s hard to hear, I know Manchester United fans might be saying, ‘we are always changing the manager and this isn’t right, and he isn’t right’ but so be it. Keep going until you find the right guy.”
How Manchester United signings stack up
Erik ten Hag has made 16 signings, permanent and loan, since arriving at Manchester United in 2022. In our rankings of the manager’s additions, Lisandro Martinez does sit at number one.
The problem is Martinez has missed most of this season, and when he did play early this campaign, he wasn’t fit. He also was forced to sit out the FA Cup final with injury.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both delivered during Ten Hag’s first season, but both are over 30, and were just short-term solutions.
There are high hopes for Rasmus Hojlund long-term, but United are asking too much of him right now. Big summer signing Mason Mount has not got going either, with the manager’s attempt at buying a proven Premier League English signing falling flat so far.
We do hope United show some patience and stick with Ten Hag, but if the axe does eventually fall on the Dutchman, his poor transfer record will be held up as a principle reason for his spell failing to work out at Old Trafford.
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