Man Utd need total overhaul but Ten Hag must sort woeful defence first or it will be same result every week
IF Erik ten Hag did not know the severity of the situation before the trip to Brentford… then he does now.
Manchester United threw the towel in during the first half on Saturday afternoon as Thomas Frank’s side scored FOUR goals in just 25 minutes.
It was a remarkably spineless display from a team who should currently be trying to impress their new manager in his first Premier League away game in charge of the club.
And it highlighted the desperate need for Ten Hag to read the riot act to his defensive unit – if you can even call them one.
It’s true, United looked blunt up front despite Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo all starting.
But that was not the main takeaway from Saturday’s drubbing.
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If Ten Hag’s men are going to concede four every week then they won’t be winning any games this season as they certainly aren’t capable of scoring five.
So the back line has to now be his priority as he moves forward with this mess of a squad.
David de Gea has spent more than 10 years at the club but still has major errors in him and cost the team two of the goals against Brentford.
Lisandro Martinez, who joined the club for £55million this summer, could not have put in a pair of worse performances to kick off his time in England.
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The Argentine looked like a child as he was manhandled by Ivan Toney – an ominous sight that will leave United doubtful about his chances of improving their fragile centre.
Luke Shaw’s days could well be numbered as a first team regular as he was beaten all ends up by Bryan Mbeumo for the fourth and final goal.
Tyrell Malacia looked a little better when he replaced Shaw for the second half, but there is now a lot of pressure on him to perform.
Diogo Dalot was also under par, while Harry Maguire’s lack of leadership on the pitch is yet another major concern.
And in front of the back four it does not get much better.
Fred and Scott McTominay have long been criticised by United supporters.
But the inability to get a deal for Frenkie de Jong over the line means they may well be stuck with a McFred pairing for the foreseeable future.
And, to cap things off, the forward players do not press or pose any sort of defensive shield for those behind them.
But Ten Hag must begin with the back line if he is to rectify this abomination of a start.
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There will almost certainly be changes of personnel when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford in nine days time.
But is that the answer? The manager now needs to accept the squad he’s got and try to improve them defensively on the training pitch.
Otherwise, this could get even worse.