According to Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton on It’s All Kicking Off, Erik ten Hag ‘looks like a dead man walking’ as Manchester United’s historically terrible season continues.
Following their 2-0 setback against West Ham on Saturday, United have now suffered 13 defeats in all competitions this season, with only 11 wins.
For the previous time United lost more games before Christmas, you have to go all the way back to 1930, when they finished bottom of the First Division.
United dropped to eighth after losing at the London Stadium, and their elimination from the Champions League and Carabao Cup make for a terrible first half of the season at Old Trafford.
There will be no respite as they face high-flying Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
After Manchester United suffered their 13th defeat of the season against West Ham, Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton believe Erik ten Hag (above) is a ‘dead man walking’.
United are currently seventh in the Premier League after a dismal start to the season.
With petrochemicals tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing his £1.25 billion buy-out of a 25% stake in United, Sutton and Ladyman believe Ten Hag’s days as manager are numbered.
‘You and I had defender Erik ten Hag and stuck up for him, talking about the positive things he’s done at Manchester United and the need for patience,’ Mail Sport football editor Ladyman told It’s All Kicking Off during the festive season.
‘I tell you what, he’s a dead man walking right now, ahead of Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS investment arriving at Old Trafford very soon.
‘He looks like a dead man heading towards me now, and I’m sorry to say that. He’s sleepwalking, he appears to be sleepwalking towards the door.’
Sutton concurred, stating, ‘I believe so. I’d like to know when that is. I’d like to go back in time and remember how I defined him as a ‘Eric 10 games’ character. That wouldn’t be too far off.
‘I believe your description of a dead man walking is correct.
‘What really scares me about him right now is that I have no idea what game he’s watching when he comes out afterwards and says they did well.
Ten Hag is currently under a lot of pressure, according to Chris Sutton on the Mail Sport podcast.
Ian Ladyman says Ten Hag is’sleepwalking’ towards the Old Trafford escape door.
Positive results, such as the point at Liverpool, appear to be followed by poor performances by United.
‘You know they didn’t perform well against West Ham by Manchester United’s standards. They didn’t play well when we were there, and Bayern Munich won without breaking a sweat.
‘That is a huge concern, and there are difficulties across the park. ‘I mean, where do you even begin?’
Sutton delved deeper into United’s troubles, expressing sympathy for £72 million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund, who has yet to score in the Premier League.
‘As a center forward, I’ve seen him have serious misgivings and a lack of knowledge about what his true position is,’ he said.
‘He appears to have lost confidence as a result of that. He is hesitating, which is a major issue.
Rasmus Hojlund, a £72 million striker, has yet to register a Premier League goal since his arrival.
The impending arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who will take over as United’s football operations, will only add to Ten Hag’s pressure to turn things right after a disastrous start.
‘Do we hold him responsible for this? Do we really understand how good he is? Of course not, because he has two wide players who simply pass the ball to you when they’re done with it.
‘You’re in a nightmarish situation.’
Sutton chastised Brazilian winger Antony for ‘only thinking about himself’ when he gets into good situations and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford for ‘throwing his toys out of the pram’ this season.
‘He appears indifferent, as if he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders,’ Sutton remarked of England’s star.
Ladyman pointed out that in Premier League action this season, United’s wide players had only passed to Hojlund 11 times.