Ten Hag claimed the crimson card proven to captain Bruno Fernandes three minutes earlier than half-time “modified the sport”. It didn’t. United’s supervisor is deluding solely himself if he believes this. It made United’s activity even tougher, however Spurs have been threatening to run riot even earlier than Fernandes’ dismissal.
If it was determined to stage a world straw-clutching championship, Ten Hag would have a very good probability of successful with that one.
And let’s not neglect this was a Spurs facet stripped of their injured talisman Son Heung-min. Son’s alternative Timo Werner really spared United additional punishment, confirming he stays a prepared trier however a totally unreliable finisher, twice capturing lamely at United keeper Andre Onana when clear via.
It was a tricky day for Ten Hag’s newest signing, Manuel Ugarte, who acquired nowhere close to the Spurs midfield, whereas Joshua Zirkzee, hooked at half-time, as but reveals no signal of including any of the leading edge he was purchased for at a price of £36.54m.
United now lie in twelfth within the Premier League having misplaced three of their first six video games, the figures including to the rising perception that the tip recreation is looming into view for Ten Hag. They’re ominous.
With reminiscences of the 3-0 loss to Liverpool nonetheless contemporary, United have now misplaced consecutive house league video games with out scoring a aim.
The final time this occurred the supervisor, in that occasion Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was sacked quickly after shedding 5-0 to Liverpool and 2-0 to Manchester Metropolis in November 2021.
United have been extensive open on Sunday, failing to press Spurs to any impact. Dejan Kulusevski alone created 9 possibilities, probably the most by a visiting participant in a Premier League recreation at Previous Trafford since data began in 2003-04.
And the final decline – not solely in Ten Hag’s reign – may be underscored by the actual fact United have now misplaced 23 Premier League matches by three or extra objectives within the final 424 video games. That is greater than they did in 1,035 league video games below Sir Alex Ferguson, when it occurred on 22 events.
United’s present whole of seven factors is their joint fewest after six video games of a Premier League season and so they have solely scored fewer objectives as soon as at this stage – 4 in 2007-08 – than they’ve up to now this time period.
These statistics lie like wreckage round Ten Hag’s ft.
