It’s been just over three weeks since Manchester United hit ‘bottom’. Gary Neville, television pundit at Sky Sports and ex-United player who sometimes tended to exaggerate, clearly called it that at the time. The 0: 4 against Brentford had caused loud criticism and many unanswered questions, some of which went far beyond the field at Old Trafford: they were about whether one of the most traditional clubs in Europe was destroying itself.
Erik ten Hag should therefore have had reason to be somewhat satisfied when he appeared before the press on Sunday evening. Manchester United have managed four wins in a row since the declared low point and are only three points away from the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal continues to do so, despite the 3-1 defeat against United – after five wins to start with. Coach ten Hag politely accepted the congratulations, but in truth he continued to emphasize what he said after the Brentford defeat: it is “a process” to develop this United side further. And there is still plenty of work ahead of them. So there is no trace of satisfaction, the season is still too long for that.
United’s victories against Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and now Arsenal are at least evidence that the process is moving forward. Ten Hag’s side also allowed chances against London’s outstanding offensive so far, but had significantly more control than at the beginning of the season. It seemed like the team was executing a plan and not relying on individual actions. “The routines come into play more and more,” said ten Hag, highlighting the “beautiful” goals his side had scored – which explained well his philosophy at United.
Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t gotten a starting XI since the low point three weeks ago
All three goals did not come from outstanding shots or actions in the box, which one would commonly call “beautiful”, but from quick attacks with interface passes by Arsenal’s defense, which corresponds to ten Hag’s idea of aesthetics. Antony scored the 1-0 100-million access in the 34th minute, in the middle of the best phase of the Londoners, Marcus Rashford then scored after passes from Bruno Fernandes (66th minute) and Christian Eriksen (75th). Bukayo Saka had equalized in the meantime, but it only put United under pressure for a few minutes.
Offensive power Antony proves to be very expensive, but also accurate access.
(Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
“We’re starting to understand each other better,” said Eriksen after the game, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. In general, many explanations for the return of success at United revolved around mentality, mood and self-confidence. “I don’t have an explanation either,” Neville said himself. There is one that is obvious – but which one does not want to say too loudly in Manchester at the moment.
In terms of personnel, ten Hag changed his team in three key positions after the Brentford defeat and kept these changes. At one point he took out captain and centre-back Harry Maguire, as well as his popular full-back colleague Luke Shaw. In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo has not received a starting XI since the low point three weeks ago, Rashford played in the center of the attack on Sunday, with Jadon Sancho and Antony on the flanks.
Maguire and Ronaldo in particular are two prominent victims of the fact that ten Hag seems to have found his starting eleven for the time being. Without the captain, United’s central defense looks a lot less error-prone, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez complementing each other well at the moment, which, however, raises the question of what role Maguire should play in the squad in the long run.
Ten Hag is now outspoken about certain critical truths about Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s absence doesn’t hurt the team too much either. Ten Hag’s elaborate pressing works much better when all attacking players participate – the 37-year-old Portuguese, on the other hand, sees his task elsewhere. After coming on as a substitute in the 59th minute, Ronaldo was involved in offensive scenes again and again, but also lost the ball in his own half through back-heel and shoulder passes. “It’s important that he plays along and has a certain position, both on and off the ball,” said ten Hag.
Nevertheless, there was a positive change: Ronaldo was obviously very keen to take part in the game after the end of the transfer debate, he seemed committed and celebrated euphorically about Antony’s goal, even if it was a direct competitor for him for a place on the offensive . Ronaldo is not the end of the matter, however, it will probably accompany United throughout the season.
However, it is a testament to the self-confidence that ten Hag has developed over the past few weeks that he speaks certain critical truths without resorting to excuses. When he was asked at the press conference about the reason for Ronaldo’s status as a substitute, the Dutchman not only spoke about tactics, but also confirmed what has long been said behind closed doors in Manchester – and what the five-time world footballer should not like to hear: the main problem is Ronaldo’s lack of fitness.