Ten Hag sets yet another horror record as Man Utd manager after Porto draw as he faces one game to save his job
WOEFUL stats are mounting faster for Manchester United than the pressure on Erik ten Hag.
As stirring as Harry Maguire’s last-gasp rescue was for the 10-man Red Devils at Porto, a crazy 3-3 draw revealed more shocking failings.
GettyIt might be getting lonelier and lonelier for Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag[/caption]
ReutersThe Dutchman stunned many by taking off Marcus Rashford, right, and later saw key midfielder Bruno Fernandes sent off[/caption]
GettySub Harry Maguire rescued a late draw for the Red Devils at Porto[/caption]
The Europa League thriller means no Premier League club has let in three or more goals more often in all competitions than Ten Hag‘s men since he took charge at Old Trafford in April 2022.
United now visit Aston Villa – buoyant after toppling Bayern Munich in the Champions League – for a make-or-break Prem clash on Sunday.
But despite another night of dodgy defending, Ten Hag insisted he will not only survive but thrive for the long haul.
The Dutchman said: “We will get there. Don’t judge us in this moment, judge us at the end of the season.
“We are in the process, we will improve. We have two seasons now where we achieve finals – just wait.
However, he did add: “You see again that the team is willing, strong character, but the middle part, the defending we have to improve.
“We have to be better on the ball and defend better.”
United, free-flowing early on, were deservedly 2-0 up through Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, although Porto keeper Diogo Costa somewhat blundered for both goals.
Despite claiming he will get it right, Ten Hag looked under pressureReuters
The Red Devils at least produced a healthy number of goal attempts
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But legendary centre-back Pepe and Samu Omorodion soon both nodded home to put the Portuguese giants level.
Ten Hag took off the flying Rashford for the second period – raising eyebrows by revealing it was purely to rest the striker for the weekend rather than any injury.
Spanish forward Omorodion promptly cracked the home side in front.
And Porto could easily have exposed more gaps at the back for United – before Ten Hag made another bold decision.
Off went central defenders Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt, with Maguire and Jonny Evans coming on in a like-for-like gamble.
Almost immediately, however, the Red Devils’ star midfielder Bruno Fernandes saw red for the second game in a row, courtesy of a controversial second yellow card late on.
Fortunately, Maguire thumped home a point-saving header in stoppage time.
But even though it was a defender who stole in when most needed, the stats show United are being robbed of any consistency by a fragile backline.
United have now conceded at least three goals in their last four European away days, with just one victory in their past 10 Euro ties.
That’s four given away at Bayern, then four, three and three against FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Porto respectively.
GettyBruno Fernandes was sent off for the second match in a row[/caption]
RexCasemiro had another miserable night in United’s midfield[/caption]
Surely no team can challenge for a trophy with such forlorn facts ‘n figures.
And if you look at the bigger picture – all competitions – the Red Devils also lead the leakers amongst Prem sides.
United have surrendered two or more goals 31 times since the start of last season.
That’s yet another unwanted tally for which United top the table.
No wonder they will travel to Unai Emery‘s high-flying Villa with the heat around Ten Hag really starting to prickle.
The Red Devils sit just 13th, with just two wins from six games.
That matches their worst-ever Prem start to a campaign and leaves fans fearing the pain might deepen before it is eased – unless Ten Hag finds a quick solution that could also the key to his own future.
