Erik ten Hag has made one big decision that has backfired massively for Manchester United and is causing one star in particular to suffer.
Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to David Moyes’ West Ham United side at the London Stadium which was their 13th loss in all competitions this season, their most defeats at Christmas since 1930.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus struck the decisive blows for the Hammers but it might have been so different had Alejandro Garnacho finished his golden opportunity but his rather tame shot was denied by Alphonse Areola.
Despite this chance, the Red Devils failed to carve out any other real openings of quality and there may well be a key reason for this.
McTominay and Fernandes
It’s a credit to Scott McTominay’s work ethic that he has managed to fight his way back into the team and has now played 90 minutes in 13 straight games for the Red Devils but he is causing issues in the team.
Due to the Scotsman’s goalscoring exploits this season, for United and Scotland, Erik ten Hag has given the academy graduate more license to push forward and make late runs into the box.
This has worked in some games this season with the wins over Chelsea and Brentford being examples of this but there has been multiple occasions where it just hasn’t worked out, with the game at the London Stadium being a big example of this.
In fact, McTominay’s inclusion in the team is actually hindering Bruno Fernandes as the United captain is forced to play in a deeper role which limits his creativity massively.
The Portuguese midfielder has looked stifled this season and has struggled to affect the outcome of games as much as he usually does.
Ten Hag’s options
Christian Eriksen was on the bench for the Red Devils and the Dane made his first appearance for United since their 1-0 win over Luton Town last month.
Sofyan Amrabat was missing from the starting 11 and he could be brought back in to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who looked composed once again despite the mistake.
What is clear, however, is that the McTominay experiment has to stop. Nobody can deny his work ethic and the effort he provides for the team but he’s just not the right sort of player in that engine room that United need.
Due to his tendencies to push forward, too, this is limiting Fernandes’ game as the spaces he usually picks up are being filled by the 26-year-old.
Dropping McTominay from the starting lineup has to be the way forward.
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