Forget Bruno Fernandes red card, Man Utd defeat to Tottenham is all down to one man

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Manchester United’s awful match at home to Tottenham was compounded by a red card to Bruno Fernandes late in the first half.

Bruno Fernandes’ red card split opinion, with the Manchester United captain sent off for a high challenge on James Maddison.

Fernandes disputed the red card, claiming he slipped. Manchester United were 1-0 down at the time, and eventually lost 3-0.

But let’s not get caught up in the red card debate. Manchester United did not lose because of the sending off.

Erik ten Hag to blame

Manchester United were heading for a dismal defeat before Fernandes was sent off. Erik ten Hag‘s side were never in control of the game.

United had less than 40 per cent possession at the point Fernandes was red carded, with Tottenham by far the superior side.

Ange Postecoglou’s side had a plan, they flooded the midfield, and restricted United to relying on counter-attacking opportunities.

Erik ten Hag’s team looked the very opposite, a team which was under-prepared, without a plan, and with players making basic, individual errors.

It is simply not good enough, from a manager who has spent heavily, and there are very few injury issues to contend with.

United were the home team yet played like the away side, and even if Fernandes had stayed on the pitch, the Red Devils were hurtling towards a defeat.

Erik ten Hag under pressure

After winning the FA Cup Final, Erik ten Hag kept his job and he was tasked by sporting director Dan Ashworth with producing consistently strong performances.

A few weeks into the new season, Ten Hag is only producing consistently poor performances, and the buck stops with him.

The manager has Manchester United sitting in 12th place in the Premier League table, with a goal difference of -3.

United have a pathetic seven points from six games, already well adrift of the teams at the top. United are no better in the Europa League either, drawing at home to FC Twente.

The performances have not been good enough, and most worryingly, United have failed to score in three of the last four Premier League matches.

We took a look at eight possible replacements for Ten Hag heading into this weekend, and a few of them may be checking their phones for a call from United.