Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler doesn’t see the trust between Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United players after a poor start to the season and has warned of a ‘hostile atmosphere’ awaiting them at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United.
Manchester United picked up a vital 2-1 victory over Brentford after being a goal down going into seven minutes of stoppage time.
A Scott McTominay double saved Erik ten Hag and United as the talk over the international break, had the Red Devils lost that game, would have been about the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford.
Well, writing in his column this week for the Daily Mirror, Robbie Fowler doesn’t believe that all is well at Old Trafford.
Fowler on Ten Hag
Fowler, in his piece, said moments like the win over Brentford can shape someone’s time at a club and have a hugely positive impact for years to come but the former Liverpool striker is reluctant to say this could be the turning point.
“One fortunate win through two late goals from a player whom the manager seems to have actually bombed out doesn’t change the pressure (on Ten Hag),” Fowler said, “only consistent results do. And Ten Hag is facing a huge week in that respect.
“Manchester United couldn’t have a worse game back after the international break, and so the pressure returns immediately. Promoted Sheffield United under the Saturday night lights… with a hostile crowd baying for blood.”
The Red Devils take on Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United with Ten Hag’s side desperate to make it two wins on the bounce in the Premier League, something they are still yet to achieve this season.
It won’t be easy for Ten Hag’s side as they will face a side desperate for victory and will sense that United could be the side to succumb to the pressure of the home crowd.
Ten Hag struggling to adapt to ‘pressure’
As well as this, Fowler believes that the former Ajax boss may well be struggling to adapt to the pressure at Old Trafford.
“United is a strange beast”, Fowler said. “We’ve seen it with certain players who go there and can’t handle the massive pressure that comes with the territory. The same can apply to managers, and I wonder if Ten Hag has got a grip on that yet.”
It is hard to agree with the former striker. Ten Hag seemed to handle the pressure just fine after a disastrous start to his first season at the club.
Yes, the start of the season has not been good enough. However, the sheer amount of injuries the club have had to deal with is unprecedented and you can’t expect wonders from a side so depleted.
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