Premier League: Is Ten Hag to blame for United's woes?

Erik ten Hag cut a lonely figure amid the 72,000 football fans in Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

His dour solitude on the line in stark contrast to the celebrating Geordies in the far corner of the ground, as he witnessed his players in red comprehensively knocked out of the Carabao Cup by the side they beat in the same competition’s final just last season.

Losing to this Newcastle side is neither a disgrace nor all that surprising. But that Man United were the reigning champions and the manner of their exit indicated to many watching on the terraces, that instead of making progress under Ten Hag it now looks like the Red Devils have actually regressed.

The Carabao setback came off the back of Sunday's Manchester derby defeat by City, making it the first time United have lost successive home games by three goals or more since October 1962. They have also lost five of their first 10 home games for the first time since the 1930-31 season. And even some of their victories this term have required a good measure of luck to complete.

In contrast, things are starting to look up for Newcastle and their rather poor record against the other United. The Magpies had only won one of their previous 41 away matches against the Red Devils in all competitions and that solitary win in Manchester was back in 2013. But they looked very comfortable in Old Trafford on Wednesday night, limiting their opponents to just two shots on target… at home.

Speaking after the game, Ten Hag was forthright on what’s wrong and taking responsibility for the defeat.

"It is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United," said Ten Hag. "It is not good enough by far and we have to put it right.

"I take responsibility for it. It is my team, and they are not performing."

Blame game

Sky pundit Paul Merson agreed that it is Ten Hag’s fault, fearing that he has “lost the dressing room” and “run out of ideas”.

There is no denying it looks bad for Ten Hag, especially when you consider he has spent £400m in new signings since his arrival, only topped by the also misfiring Chelsea for most money spent this season.

But other pundits in Sky, closer to Man United as former players in the club, were not so sure it was entirely the Dutchman’s fault and saw more culpability among the players than the boss.

Roy Keane was particularly scathing of Bruno Fernandes, saying that the Spanish star was “the opposite of what I want in a captain”.

While Gary Neville was baffled by Anthony Martial’s continuing poor performances, saying, “He still shouldn’t be at the club.” It must be remembered that Neville earlier claimed that the problem lies on the shoulders of the owners, the Glazier family. Pointing out key deficiencies in departments in the club like the lack of a sporting director. Believing that the rot in the club starts at the head.

This may be so and there are example of negligence but they have also thrown plenty money at the problem. And It’s not like Ten Hag has made this side bad, he inherited a side struggling all the way back to Alex Ferguson’s retirement. David Moyes, Ryan Giggs, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunner Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick all have had a go to rejuvenate the United fortunes to Ferguson’s level, with varying degrees of success. And you must admit that they can’t have all being wrong.

Lightning in a bottle

But finding the solution does seem beyond all comers. Maybe it all comes down to circumstances aligning. Ferguson captured lightning in a bottle, when he, the players, the club, and externalities all came together to create something almost impossible to replicate.

Ten Hag has promised to “fight on”.

And in his favour, they have two very winnable games (on paper) to come. Against Fulham tomorrow in the league and against Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday. While both matches are away, the idea of playing at home has hardly been shown by United to be an advantage this season.

Nevertheless, it would be hard to see the Dutchman surviving much longer if they lose both.

But still the question remains for Ten Hag and any future manager. Are they capable of bringing the glory days back to Old Trafford?