Manchester United’s recent improvements haven’t erased their threat to Arsenal

Manchester United have moved beyond embarrassment but remain a threat to Arsenal – The aftermath of Monday’s match leaves Erik ten Hag at a loss for words, emblematic of the challenges facing Manchester United. Despite the manager’s efforts, the team’s lack of response and waning player engagement have become evident.

The 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace underscores the inevitability of such losses, as the squad becomes desensitized to humiliation.

What exacerbates the situation is the frequency of such defeats. They are no longer anomalies, even for a club of United’s stature.

In Ten Hag’s tenure alone, there have been at least nine matches marred by chaos. This count may even be conservative, as it includes instances like the recent FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, where a three-goal collapse highlighted the team’s vulnerabilities.

Manchester United under Ten Hag has become predictable, with opponents finding it easy to exploit defensive weaknesses, as evidenced by their performance against Coventry.

Ten Hag’s humiliations

Ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United has been marked by a series of humiliating defeats, including:

Brentford 4-0 Manchester United, August 2022
Manchester City 6-3 Manchester United, October 2022
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United, March 2023
Sevilla 3-0 Manchester United, April 2023
Copenhagen 4-3 Manchester United, November 2023
Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United, April 2024
Manchester United 3-3 Coventry City, April 2024
Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United, May 2024

Beyond the scorelines, the manner of these defeats is particularly troubling. Some victories and draws also raise concerns, indicating deeper issues within the team. While Ten Hag cannot shoulder all the blame, it’s evident that structural problems existed before his arrival.

A squad overhaul is imperative, a fact acknowledged by Ineos, who have criticized the club’s recruitment strategy in their audit.

Manchester United have moved beyond embarrassment but remain a threat to Arsenal — Ten Hag’s side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Selhurst Park, adding to a long list of embarrassments

Ten Hag’s tenure has exacerbated the situation, turning it into a complete shambles. Despite facing multiple personnel issues, the inability to establish a coherent tactical system has only added to the chaos. These defeats are not isolated incidents but symptomatic of larger systemic problems within the team.

Manchester United’s struggles go beyond the embarrassment of individual losses. They reflect a fundamental dysfunction in the team’s functioning.

Their vulnerability on the field makes them the easiest opponent in the Premier League, and possibly even beyond. The high number of goals conceded against teams like Coventry and Palace is a direct result of consistently allowing opponents too many shots on goal.

Given the current state of affairs at Manchester United and Ineos’ evaluation of the club, it seems unlikely that they will retain Ten Hag as manager.

The persistent rumors linking Gareth Southgate to the position indicate that Ineos views him as a top candidate, especially considering his strong relationships with key figures at the club. However, there are logistical challenges in securing Southgate’s services, as he would only become available after England’s Euro 2024 campaign, potentially not until late July.

Despite these obstacles, Ineos has demonstrated a willingness to wait for the right candidate, as seen in their approach with Dan Ashworth. They believe that short-term inconveniences should not hinder long-term decisions, as delaying necessary changes only postpones progress.

Additionally, Ineos must consider Profit and Sustainability Rules, which will impact the club’s decisions during the summer transfer window.

This financial constraint has influenced Newcastle United’s stance on releasing Ashworth and may similarly affect Manchester United’s plans. Nonetheless, many observers would find it ironic if financial considerations prevented United from making essential changes.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be assessing United’s final weeks of the season (PA Wire)

The ongoing turmoil surrounding the club only adds to the sense of chaos at Manchester United. The recent string of humiliating defeats has pushed the situation beyond mere embarrassment into the realm of comedy. There’s a term, unfortunately more infantilized, that Arsenal fans are all too familiar with—the “banter era.” The level of humiliation experienced by United makes it impossible to avoid this characterization.

It seems that every time one believes things couldn’t possibly worsen, they do. Despite hopes that the Ralf Rangnick season would mark the low point, the current situation feels even more extreme. Ten Hag was expected to represent a new era of coaching post-Sir Alex Ferguson, yet the reality has proven to be far from that ideal.

For all the reasons mentioned, Manchester United’s current situation may actually be worse than Arsenal’s infamous era. Firstly, United’s status as a bigger and wealthier club with a richer history of success amplifies the magnitude of their struggles.

Unlike Arsenal, who eventually identified and rectified their issues under Arsene Wenger’s prolonged tenure, United face a multitude of complex problems that require swift resolution. Arsenal’s turnaround under Mikel Arteta within a short span offers a glimmer of hope for United’s future, indicating that rapid improvement is possible despite the extensive challenges ahead.

This Sunday’s upcoming match holds significant potential to add another humiliating defeat to United’s already lengthy list of setbacks.

United’s recent spate of errors suggests that Arsenal should secure a comfortable victory if they perform competently. Arteta’s squad possesses the capability to dismantle United on the field.

Ten Hag’s side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Selhurst Park, adding to a long list of embarrassments — Arsenal must win at Old Trafford to keep the pressure on Man City in the title race (Getty Images)

However, notably absent from United’s list of humiliations is Arsenal’s dominance at Old Trafford. While Tottenham Hotspur’s 6-1 victory in 2020 stands out, Arsenal’s record at Old Trafford remains dismal, with just one league win in their last 16 visits and a mere five draws.

This fixture holds emotional significance for Arsenal, adding a unique dimension to their recent form, similar to United’s recent matches against Liverpool.

Despite logical expectations, football often surprises with unexpected outcomes, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact reasons behind such results. Arsenal, too, has a history of being emotionally affected by high-stakes encounters, as evidenced by their draw against Liverpool last season amidst the title race.

The upcoming matches could prove pivotal in the title race, with just five days potentially deciding the outcome. Should Manchester City falter against Fulham, Arsenal would have a significant opportunity to capitalize.

Conversely, if City emerge victorious, Arsenal would need to secure a win against United to apply maximum pressure on the reigning champions ahead of their Tuesday fixture against Tottenham.

Amidst the swirling uncertainty, it’s evident that chaos may offer United a slim chance, highlighting the precariousness of their situation.

Conversely, Arsenal has displayed resilience and composure in recent times, bouncing back from anticipated defeats and maintaining consistency in their performances. Arteta, in particular, played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s rare league win at Old Trafford in 2020.

As both teams prepare for the upcoming match, their focus must remain on executing the basics effectively. While Arsenal aims to maintain composure and perform at a competent level, United must address their challenges in a different manner, driven by distinct motivations.

Source: independent.co.uk