The echoes of Fulham’s shock 2-1 victory at Old Trafford have barely faded, yet the questions they amplified about Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United are louder than ever. The defeat, which snapped a four-game Premier League winning streak, has left the Red Devils eight points adrift of the top four, casting a long shadow over the Dutchman’s future. At Crickex, we delve beyond the scoreline to analyze the systemic issues plaguing the club and ask the critical question: Have the new INEOS decision-makers, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, already made their choice?
A Philosophical Void at the Heart of United
Gary Neville, speaking with the authority of a former club captain, pinpointed the core issue on his analysis show: a complete lack of identity. Unlike the clear, unwavering philosophies at rivals Liverpool and Manchester City—Jurgen Klopp’s ‘gegenpressing’ and Pep Guardiola’s possession-dominance—United under Ten Hag are an enigma.
“There isn’t anybody who watches Man Utd, whether you’re a fan or not, who knows what they’re trying to do every single week,” Neville stated. This inconsistency is starkly illustrated by the statistics. This season alone, United have already lost more games than in the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign. The problems Neville first spotted on the opening night against Wolves, with gaping holes in midfield between a isolated Casemiro and advanced players, have persisted for eight months without resolution.
The INEOS Clock: Has the Decision Already Been Made?
The timing of this crisis is crucial. With European giants like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich all actively searching for new managers this summer, hesitation is a luxury United cannot afford. Neville suspects the new football operations hierarchy is already ahead of the curve.
“If you look at [Omar] Berrada coming in from City as CEO, and looking to get Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, they’re going to make a decision quite quickly if they haven’t already,” Neville explained. “I suspect Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford already know whether Erik ten Hag will be the manager next season. I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision, and then leave themselves short.”
This suggests that while a Champions League finish—potentially achievable even from fifth place due to the new format—is desirable, it may not be the sole deciding factor. The demand will be for a visible and convincing direction of travel on the pitch, something that has been conspicuously absent.
Crickex Tactical Breakdown: Carragher Exposes the Systemic Flaws
Jamie Carragher’s analysis on Monday Night Football moved beyond results and exposed the terrifying underlying numbers that recent wins had papered over. The statistics are damning:
- Since Ten Hag‘s arrival, United have faced 20+ shots in a Premier League game 12 times.
- This season alone, they’ve allowed 16+ shots on 14 occasions—a frequency matched only by relegation-battlers Luton and Sheffield United.
Carragher identified a tactical paradox that is crippling the team: “They defend like a team I’ve never seen before. They like to press high with a deep block. It’s impossible. You can only do one or the other. They’re trying to do both.”
The Two Root Causes of United’s Chaos
Problem 1: The Pressing Identity Crisis
Carragher used the opening 20 seconds against Fulham to highlight a critical lack of coaching. Young Kobbie Mainoo was caught in no-man’s-land, unsure whether to mark the holding midfielder or track the advancing No. 10. This immediate confusion gutted United’s midfield and set the tone for the match. This lack of clear instruction from the coaching staff leaves players exposed and consistently vulnerable to counter-attacks, especially given the lack of pace in defense and mobility in midfield.
Mainoo’s instant confusion exemplified a team unsure of its tactical instructions from the very first whistle.
Problem 2: Catastrophic Positioning in Possession
The issues are just as severe when United have the ball. Carragher pointed to a moment when Raphael Varane was in possession, only to find every passing option shut down. Diogo Dalot was too advanced, Mainoo was on the last line, Bruno Fernandes was playing as a striker, and Victor Lindelof was marked. This complete lack of cohesive structure leads to turnovers in dangerous areas, forcing players into grueling recovery runs.
“This is why they get so many injuries,” Carragher noted. “They’re sprinting 30, 40, 50 yards five or six times in a game.” This exhausting and inefficient style of play is unsustainable and a direct result of poor tactical organization.
The Manchester Derby: A Litmus Test for Ten Hag
All these issues converge on the ultimate challenge: a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City this Sunday, live on Crickex. The Fulham result has transformed this fixture from a “free hit” into a potential ordeal.
Neville summed up the fanbase’s apprehension: “They’re in the lap of the Gods… You just hope they don’t get done good. I hope we compete and it’s close but it’s a long way in your mind thinking we’re going to win there.” The performance, not just the result, will be heavily scrutinized. Will United show up with a coherent plan and fight, or will the same systemic flaws be ruthlessly exploited by the champions?
United’s Crucial Upcoming Fixtures
- Nottm Forest (a) – Wednesday, FA Cup fifth round
- Man City (a) – Sunday, live on Crickex
- Everton (h) – March 9
- Sheff Utd (h) – March 16
- Brentford (a) – March 30, live on Crickex
- Chelsea (a) – April 3
Is Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United Fate Already Sealed?
The evidence mounting against Erik ten Hag is no longer just about results; it’s about a fundamental failure to implement a recognizable and effective style of play. While the race for fifth place remains open, the decision from the new INEOS leadership may hinge less on Champions League qualification and more on answering a simple question: Can we see a future here?
The chaotic defensive structure, the nonexistent patterns in possession, and the sheer number of shots conceded point to a team that is not being coached effectively at the highest level. As Crickex analysis shows, the problems are deep-rooted and tactical. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project is built on a vision of a modern, elite football operation. The cold, hard data suggests that the current manager may not be the man to deliver it, regardless of what happens between now and May.
What do you think? Should United stick with Ten Hag, or is it time for a new direction? Share your thoughts with the Crickex community below.
