The aftermath of Manchester United’s recent defeat to Brighton has sparked widespread criticism of manager Erik ten Hag, with prominent football figures like Fabrizio Romano and Roy Keane openly expressing their discontent with the Dutchman’s decisions.
Fabrizio Romano, a well-respected football journalist, did not mince words as he assessed Ten Hag’s tactical approach.
In a shocking statement, Romano highlighted the manager’s poor decision-making as the root cause of United’s downfall. “People blame this or that player for Manchester United’s loss, but honestly, Erik ten Hag cost them that match with his poor technical thinking.
He made some wrong substitutions—why the hell did he sub Fernandes? Like, what kind of substitution was that? He underrated United, and it hurt him real bad,” Romano remarked.
Romano’s comments focused on Ten Hag’s substitution of Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s captain, which raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Fernandes, a key figure in United’s midfield, was pulled off in a move that many saw as a pivotal turning point in the game.
The decision to replace him left Manchester United lacking creativity and leadership on the field, which Brighton capitalized on to secure a crucial victory.
Adding fuel to the fire, Manchester United legend Roy Keane also weighed in on the situation, unleashing a scathing attack on Ten Hag’s tactics.
Keane, known for his no-nonsense approach, was “incensed” by the manager’s “ineffective” strategies, calling them “disastrous.”
“Ten Hag didn’t just get it wrong at some point in the game; he totally killed it,” Keane fumed. He went on to criticize the team’s overall performance, but his primary target was the tactical decisions that led to the defeat.
Keane’s analysis focused on Ten Hag’s inability to adapt during the match. He pointed out how Brighton exploited United’s weaknesses, especially after Fernandes’ substitution.
The former United captain emphasized that the manager’s lack of a coherent game plan and poor in-game adjustments ultimately cost the team a vital win.
The loss to Brighton has left Manchester United fans frustrated and questioning Ten Hag’s leadership.
With expectations high this season, the pressure is mounting on the Dutch manager to turn things around quickly.
As the criticism from prominent figures like Romano and Keane continues to grow, Ten Hag will need to reflect on his decisions and find a way to restore confidence both within the team and among the supporters.
