“Sancho’s Spat Puts Pressure on Ten Hag: Will He Rise to the Occasion?”

Sport Football: Jadon Sancho puts pressure on Erik ten Hag to reverse concerning trend

The Background

Manchester United’s recent defeat at the hands of Arsenal has raised concerns about the team’s performance away from home against top-half teams. This loss marks their ninth in the past 11 games under Dutch coach Erik ten Hag. Additionally, there have been reports of tension between Ten Hag and midfielder Jadon Sancho, further adding to the pressure on the coach.

The Concerns and Criticisms

Many within the Manchester United camp feel that Jadon Sancho has not lived up to expectations since his move from Borussia Dortmund. There are speculations that Sancho‘s head may have been turned due to interest from other clubs, although a potential approach from Chelsea has been denied. The lack of the Dortmund version of Sancho, where his attitude was never in question, has disappointed both fans and insiders alike.

Furthermore, Erik ten Hag has been called out for his tactical approach, particularly in away matches against top-half teams. The team often struggles to impose themselves and fails to create significant opportunities. This cautious approach has resulted in a lack of balance in midfield, which is affecting their ability to dominate possession and control the game.

The Two-Tier Tactical Approach

Observations have been made about Ten Hag’s two-tier tactical approach. On one hand, there is his main Ajax idea, which was seen in their Europa League win over Barcelona and their performances last season. However, since then, Manchester United has struggled to recreate that style of play, leading to some concerns about Ten Hag’s ability to fully implement his tactics on the team.

On the other hand, Ten Hag appears to rely on a more pragmatic approach for away matches against top-half teams. This defensive strategy involves massing bodies around their own box, but results have shown that it is not yielding positive outcomes. The lack of balance in midfield and the cautious approach have led to vulnerabilities, as evidenced by Gabriel Jesus’ game-sealing goal for Arsenal.

The Concerns for Manchester United

The stagnation of Manchester United’s performance over the past season and into the current campaign has raised concerns about the team’s overall ability. Despite the high-profile signings, the team’s football has not been convincing, leaving doubts about the effectiveness of Ten Hag’s system.

There are also concerns about Ten Hag’s preference for players who understand his system over those with the most quality. This has been compared to Louis van Gaal’s approach, which may limit the team’s ability to fully utilize their talented players.

Potential Solutions

While the current challenges faced by Manchester United are not insurmountable, changes need to be made. The team must address their approach to games against top-half teams and find a better balance in midfield. The addition of key players, such as Sofyan Amrabat, may provide the much-needed stability in the midfield.

It is also important for Ten Hag to reassess his two-tier tactical approach and find a way to merge his main Ajax idea with a more adaptable strategy. This will allow the team to be more versatile and create a greater sense of connection between the coach, the players, and their style of play.

Conclusion

Although there are concerns about Manchester United’s recent performance and the tensions between Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag, it is important to remember that this is still a relatively early stage in Ten Hag’s tenure as coach. With the right adjustments and additions to the team, there is potential for a turnaround and a return to form. However, it is crucial for the team to address their tactical approach and find a balance between defensive stability and offensive creativity.

Source:

Delaney, M. (2023, September 4). Sancho spat heaps pressure on Ten Hag to reverse concerning trend. Retrieved from [insert link here]