Manchester United

There remains uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag's future as manager of Manchester United following a recent summit meeting of the club's executive committee. The discussions, which took place in Knightsbridge at the offices of Ineos, focused on the Dutchman's position amid ongoing performance concerns. The meeting, a routine gathering for the executive committee, was led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos and the club's largest single minority shareholder. He was joined by key figures including Omar Berrada, the chief executive, Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, and Jason Wilcox, the technical director. Despite the discussions, no definitive conclusions were reached regarding Ten Hag's status, leaving the possibility of a managerial change still on the table.

David Squires explores the ongoing turmoil at Manchester United in his latest cartoon, shedding light on the seemingly endless cycle of processes taking place behind the scenes at Old Trafford. As the club grapples with its challenges, Squires humorously captures the essence of the situation, illustrating the various elements at play in the management and operations of the team. For those interested in Squires' work, copies of his cartoons are available for purchase in the Print Shop.

Chaos and discord have become all too familiar for Manchester United, a reality that Erik ten Hag is experiencing firsthand as he navigates the tumultuous environment at Old Trafford. Recently, Aston Villa, currently sitting fifth in the league, played to a lackluster 0-0 draw against a mid-table team, perhaps still feeling the effects of their exhilarating victory over Bayern Munich just days earlier. Under normal circumstances, such a match would hardly raise eyebrows, especially on a day when Brighton staged a thrilling comeback against Tottenham and Chelsea's clash with Nottingham Forest erupted into a chaotic brawl involving 15 players. Yet, this is Manchester United we’re discussing. Despite the passage of over 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, the drama surrounding the club remains as captivating as ever. It raises the question: how has the most successful team in English football history, with the highest average attendance, managed to consistently mismanage its affairs? In football, the prevailing notion is that financial power leads to success; for United to defy this principle for such an extended period is a testament to their remarkable ability to mismanage. This ongoing saga continues to intrigue fans and analysts alike, as the club grapples with its identity and future in the wake of its storied past.

Erik ten Hag has expressed confidence in his relationship with the Manchester United ownership, stating that he has received no signals indicating a loss of their support. Following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, which marked the club's worst start to a Premier League season, Ten Hag acknowledged the mounting pressure to improve results. United's co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, did not publicly endorse Ten Hag during recent comments, but the manager emphasized that he has maintained open and transparent communication with the club's hierarchy. Currently, United sits 14th in the league, just five points above the relegation zone, having failed to secure a win in their last five matches across all competitions and managing to score only five goals in seven games. When asked about his standing with the ownership, Ten Hag stated, “I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me [if not]. We communicate very openly and transparently.” He anticipates further discussions with the board in the coming days as the team seeks to turn its fortunes around.

**Manchester United in a Stalemate: A Long Wait for Change** The current state of Manchester United resembles a ghost ship adrift at sea, caught in a holding pattern as the team struggles to find its footing. The recent 0-0 draw was a painful reminder of the club's ongoing challenges, offering little in the way of excitement or hope for fans. A story often attributed to Benjamin Disraeli comes to mind, set during a tense dinner party in the late 1870s amidst the backdrop of war in the Balkans. As the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable, one guest finally broke the silence, asking, “Mr. Disraeli, what are you waiting for?” To which Disraeli famously replied, “At this moment, madam, the potatoes.” This exchange captures the essence of Manchester United's current predicament. The club seems to be waiting for something to change, yet the path forward remains unclear. The painstaking progress needed to right the ship is evident, but the journey is fraught with difficulties, making each match feel like a test of patience for supporters.

Manchester United's recent draw against Aston Villa has left Erik ten Hag's future uncertain. While the result may have spared him from the embarrassment of a defeat, it does little to clarify his standing with the club's hierarchy. Key figures such as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox were present to witness the match and will likely assess Ten Hag's position during the upcoming international break. Bruno Fernandes came close to scoring with a powerful free-kick that hit the crossbar, and although United's performance was not entirely lacking, they have now gone five games without a victory, with their last win coming against Barnsley. The team’s journey has been tumultuous, transitioning from a training session at Boavista following Harry Maguire's late intervention against Porto to a dreary Sunday afternoon in Birmingham. Kobbie Mainoo was among the players who participated in a training session designed for those who did not start the match, returning to the lineup as one of four changes. Ten Hag made some bold decisions in defense, opting to include Jonny Evans, who will turn 37 in January, and Maguire, 31, in place of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez. This choice drew a light-hearted comment from Gary Neville, who quipped that he and his brother Phil might as well be playing at full-back. Unfortunately for Maguire, his match ended prematurely due to a muscle injury sustained just before halftime, leaving him with a significant hole in his sock and requiring assistance from two members of the medical staff to exit the pitch.

Aston Villa is set to face Manchester United in a Premier League clash, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm BST at Villa Park. Villa will aim to take advantage of United's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their lack of pace at the back. They will likely focus on outmuscling and outrunning United in midfield. In fact, even a youth team might feel confident about their chances against United's midfield. Expect Leon Bailey to exploit the space left by Diogo Dalot when he moves infield, while Jaden Philogene will look to overpower Noussair Mazraoui. One of the ongoing issues for United, particularly under manager Erik Ten Hag, is their struggle for control in matches. Rasmus Højlund's hold-up play may not be sufficient to help them maintain possession, and the wide players seem more inclined to chase goals rather than support ball retention. This could result in a series of aimless passes that fail to find their target. As the match unfolds, it will be interesting to see how both teams adapt to these dynamics.

**Women’s Super League: Key Highlights from the Weekend's Matches** Grace Clinton shines for Manchester United, Roord makes a promising comeback after 249 days, and Chelsea must improve their defensive solidity. Grace Clinton's return to Everton proved to be a triumphant one as she netted her second goal in as many games for Manchester United. The 21-year-old midfielder from Merseyside has quickly become a vital part of Marc Skinner's strategy. Beyond her goal-scoring ability, Clinton showcased impressive strength and physicality, contributing significantly to United's midfield dynamics. Skinner praised her off-the-ball efforts, stating, “You always get the glory when you go down as the goalscorer, but I thought her pressing was really good today. She’s in a good space, but I’ve got to keep pushing her – that’s my job.” After spending last season on loan at Tottenham to hone her defensive skills, Skinner expressed confidence in her development, saying, “I always knew we were bringing her home. I gave her the No 8 shirt for a reason. We wanted her to go to Tottenham and learn the defensive side. That’s what she did.” As the season progresses, Clinton's impact on the team is becoming increasingly evident, and her growth will be crucial for United's ambitions.

Shapeless, demotivated, and petulant—Erik ten Hag's Manchester United appears to be adrift once again. A recent heavy home defeat has underscored the club's ongoing struggles, revealing a lack of direction and clarity in their summer strategy. It seems they either didn't know what they wanted or lacked the expertise to secure their targets. At the conclusion of the last season, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, and the Ineos leadership team at Manchester United explored various managerial options after the club finished eighth in the Premier League, sporting a negative goal difference. Ultimately, they opted to retain Ten Hag as manager. Given this decision, it was almost predictable that the team would find itself in a similar predicament soon after, having spent millions on a new wave of Dutch and Dutch-adjacent players without seeing the desired results. The legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson complicates matters further. Ferguson faced his own challenges during his early years at the club, ultimately achieving success in his seventh season. Fans often feel inclined to exercise patience, recalling the tumultuous times before Ferguson's breakthrough. No one wants to be the fan who publicly criticizes a manager just before a turnaround, as was the case with the infamous banner that read, “Three years of excuses and it’s still crap … ta-ra Fergie,” just months before Ferguson's pivotal FA Cup victory in 1990, which set the stage for his future triumphs. As the current season unfolds, the question remains: how long can the club continue to drift without a clear sense of purpose or improvement?

**Manchester United's Troubling Start: Analyzing Defensive Failures Goal by Goal** With twelve goals conceded in their first nine matches of the season, Manchester United's shaky start has raised significant concerns. The recent 3-3 draw against Porto highlighted persistent issues within Erik Ten Hag's squad, including defenders failing to mark opponents tightly, a lack of aggression, and vulnerabilities to crosses. In this analysis, we will break down each goal conceded, identifying recurring themes and assigning a rating out of five for the severity of each defensive error. Notably, we have excluded the Community Shield from this assessment, as it was only partially competitive. For those who prefer to avoid the details, it may be best to look away, Erik...