Graham Ruthven | Derby defeat proves Man Utd have made no progress since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer days

MANCHESTER United held the lead in Sunday’s Manchester derby for 56 minutes, but nobody could argue they were in control of the match for this time. Manchester City dictated the whole thing. Their equaliser through Phil Foden was inevitable, as were their second and third goals to cap a dominant 3-1 win over their local rivals.

Erik ten Hag’s game plan was obvious – he set up his team to sit deep, absorb pressure and hit City on the counter-attack. The plan worked to a certain extent in the early stages of the match as Marcus Rashford lashed home a stunning opener to give United the lead, but there was no evolution after that. The visitors simply waited for City to turn the match around.

An away match against Manchester City is the toughest fixture in world football right now such is the quality of Pep Guardiola’s team who could feasibly win a Double Treble this season. Ten Hag was realistic with his approach. This was the sort of reactive performance we have grown accustomed to seeing from United.

That, however, is an indictment on ten Hag’s time at the club. He was hired to impose a more proactive, possession-based style of play. His time at Ajax convinced the decision makers at Old Trafford that he was the right man for the job, but two seasons on it’s difficult to argue ten Hag has achieved his objective.

Sunday’s performance by Manchester United proved they have made no progress since the days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United set up against City in a very similar way under the Norwegian manager, the only difference is Solskjaer had a habit of pulling off a shock every so often. Ten Hag, on the other hand, has lost three of his four matches against Manchester City, conceding 13 times in the process.

Cesc Fabregas on Erik ten Hag 🗣️

“I don't know his gameplan, I don't know if he has structure, I don't know what his message is. At least with Solskjær there was a plan – defend well and have great breaks.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/sOmrLNeG1J

— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) March 1, 2024

Ten Hag’s insistence after Sunday’s derby defeat that United making progress and aren’t far behind City did him no favours. “Really small margins,’ said the Dutchman after watching a match in which the opposition registered an Expected Goals (xG) of 3.33 to United’s pitiful 0.25. City had 27 shots compared to United’s and 73% of possession. The margins were gigantic.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have been refreshingly honest in their assessment of Manchester United’s current situation since coming in as minority owners. Ratcliffe has more than once highlighted City as the best run club in the Premier League and the gulf that has grown between the Abu Dhabi-owned outfit and United. Ten Hag’s comments don’t square with this.

Time is running out for ten Hag to prove he deserves a third season as Manchester United boss. INEOS have been determined in their intent to hire the best people since taking sporting control at Old Trafford, hiring Omar Berrada from City as CEO and Dan Ashworth as sporting director from Newcastle United (assuming a compensation package can be agreed with the Magpies).

Is ten Hag really the best person to lead Manchester United at this point? What principles and building blocks has he put in place over the last two seasons? If the Dutch coach has failed to impose his own style of play by now, what’s the likelihood that things will come together in the future?

Ten Hag can’t be blamed for the mess Manchester United find themselves in, but the club finds itself at a crossroads. With INEOS now plotting the route forward, United need people with a clear vision of what the club should be and stand for and ten Hag doesn’t fit the bill. They would have been better with Solskjaer in charge on Sunday.

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