Three takeaways from Ten Hag’s first home defeat of the season 

Erik Ten Hag’s famous words of 2023 say it all: “In the game of football, it’s either you eat or you are eaten.” Unfortunately, Manchester United was well-spiced, garnished, and prepared for a Sunday dinner in its own home. Arne Slot became the August visitor who would love to trespass beyond the owner’s instructions. Manchester United lost 3-0 at Old Trafford to Liverpool, who have been blistering under new manager Arne Slot.

Last Sunday’s defeat was not the first shameful loss in front of home fans since Erik Ten Hag took over Manchester United. His first game for United three seasons ago also began with a defeat.  But what pained fans were the investments Ten Hag has made in the last three seasons, and yet the club can’t keep up with either a high-ranked or low-ranked club. The club lacks stability, depth, and understanding of the situation of things. The players are insensitive and care less about all the defeats. 

Sunday’s game saw the lackadaisical attitude of Manchester United players and how Ten Hag has shown shivering and cowardice on the sidelines as if the players pay his wages. 

Here are the three takeaways from United’s first home defeat. 

Ten Hag’s club has fallen from grace

Ten Hag needs to understand and stop the delusion that his club can compete on a high pedestal with top clubs in the league at the moment. United doesn’t have balls and courage. It shows that the club is lacking from a self-esteem problem. The players are a shadow of who they are, and it makes them susceptible to various kinds of bullying. 

Big money but no purpose 

Many assumed that Harry Maguire was the problem of Ten Hag in his first season. Since Ten Hag has gotten the players he wanted, the club has continued to suffer defeats in various areas. This suggests that the club lacks stability and depth, and that the players don’t understand the situation.

Last season, United lost 7-0 to Liverpool, and Maguire wasn’t in that setup that faced the defeat. Ten Hag has spent over 500 million pounds, and the club is yet to be relieved from little problems. Starting with the signing of André Onana to begin his revolution of setting the ball from the backline, the club has conceded some unbelievable goals. Meanwhile, the coach went ahead and signed two new defenders, Matthijs Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. However, the Ten Hag signings have conceded five goals in two games. Joshua Zirkee couldn’t deliver on the big stage. Hopefully, Manuel Ugarte will turn up the light. 

If it were in the Nigerian league, Casemiro would have been sent off 

Toby Collyer had to salvage Casemiro’s first-half mess in the second half. Ten Hag had to bring in the United Academy graduate to take over from the tired soldier who had failed to retire. 

Meanwhile, Casemiro’s pass completion rate last season was among the bottom half of Premier League midfielders. He ended the first half today having misplaced 10 of his 37 passes.

Ten Hag’s needs to stop trusting Casemiro with his midfield if he wants to succeed with the leftover games this season.