Manchester United followed Boxing Day’s comeback heroics against Aston Villa with an appalling 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday. With the Red Devils now sitting in seventh place, Gary Neville had some choice words for Erik ten Hag’s men after the match.
Gary Neville: Manchester United ‘Back to Being Awful & Inconsistent’ Against Nottingham Forest
Erik ten Hag’s Side Suffers 21st Loss in 2023
United’s victory over Unai Emery’s Villa was their only victory in their last five league games, with Saturday’s loss against Forest their ninth Premier League defeat of the 2023/24 campaign. Once again, their inability to break down a low defensive block was on display, as Ten Hag’s side only managed to register 0.67 expected goals (xG). Nuno Espirito Santo’s side managed to generate 0.93 xG in comparison.
Marcus Rashford’s goal – gifted by a shocking error from keeper Matt Turner – was only their 22nd of the season. Only Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer, while Crystal Palace are level with the Reds. Bottom-half sides Luton Town, Brentford, Fulham and Bournemouth have all scored more goals with at least one game in hand.
Former United star and pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “Manchester United are back to what they are- inconsistent and awful. They walk off the pitch a defeated bunch. I’m not really sure what this team is. It’s a very difficult watch”.
In contrast, he was full of praise for Forest, who followed an impressive performance in their unfortunate defeat to Bournemouth with a victory over Newcastle United and Ten Hag’s United. “Let’s not forget about Nottingham Forest who have been absolutely wonderful. They were the better team all game. They’ve lost their manager recently who has been brilliant for them the last two years, but they’ve made an immediate response with two huge victories, Neville said.
Gary Neville: ‘Erik ten Hag Will be Under Pressure’
The 13-time Premier League winners have now lost as many Premier League matches as they had by the end of the 2022/23 season. According to Opta, Manchester United have now lost 21 games in all competitions in 2023, their worst performance since 1972 (25).
With INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to seize control of footballing operations as soon as the purchase of their 25% stake is ratified, the former Ajax boss may be looking over his shoulder.
When discussing the takeover, Neville said: “Erik ten Hag will be under pressure, there’s no doubt about that. They’re (INEOS) obviously going to appoint those three roles- CEO, Sporting Director and Head of Recruitment. The coach is the one that will be their biggest deliberation, it always is as a football club, because you don’t sack a coach easily.”
Manchester United Head Coach’s Past Success at Odds With His Side’s Style
The Dutch manager has looked uncomfortable on the sideline in recent weeks, with his side unable to attack outside of transitional phases of plays and counter attacks. The result has been a punishing set of defeats and their elimination from Champions League football.
Their ability to compete for a top-four spot is now in question, with the club nine points adrift from rivals Manchester City and Arsenal in third and fourth. Both sides also have a game in hand over United.
In stark contrast to his time in the Eredivisie, where his Ajax side averaged the second-highest possession across UEFA’s top seven leagues. Only Manchester City averaged higher (68.2%) possession than Ajax (66.6%) in 2021/22, his final season at the club.
During his time in the Netherlands, he guided the European giants back into Champions League competitiveness. Only a Lucas Moura hat-trick in the 96th minute would deny them a final battle against Liverpool in 2019, with the now-abolished away goal rule the reason his side were cruelly knocked out by Tottenham in the semi-final.
In stark contrast, his United side only averaged 52.6% ahead of gameweek 20. While injuries have plagued the squad and key players, such as Marcus Rashford and emerging star Alejandro Garnacho, appear more suited to transitional football, excuses will be wearing thin for Ten Hag as he heads into his fourth transfer window at the club.
Fans expected the manager to help push their side towards a more dominant style. Instead, they seem to have regressed to a more familiar but predictable approach.
The value of many purchases during his reign, such as that of Antony and Mason Mount, is now being openly questioned by fans and journalists, who wonder how the Reds can improve with Financial Fair Play poised to limit their January transfer business. If the manager fails to improve results and performances soon, his position will be under serious threat.
More must-reads: