Manchester United fans are increasingly questioning the decision-making of their manager, Erik ten Hag, following the team’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Porto in the Europa League. Some supporters are even suggesting that Ten Hag’s choices during the game indicate he may be “waiting to be sacked,” as frustrations continue to mount over United’s inconsistent performances.
This comes on the heels of a disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, a result that had already placed the Dutch manager under significant pressure. Despite the setback against Spurs, United seemed to bounce back strongly at the beginning of their encounter against Porto at Estadio do Dragao.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match with a spectacular solo effort, which lifted the spirits of United fans and gave the team an early advantage. Not long after, Rasmus Hojlund, making his first start of the season, doubled United’s lead in the 20th minute. The Danish striker’s goal came as a relief for many supporters who had been eager to see him perform after his summer arrival.
However, despite their bright start, Manchester United once again found themselves unable to maintain control of the game. Porto began to fight back, and veteran defender Pepe scored a crucial goal to cut the deficit, exploiting United’s weaknesses at the back. Soon after, Samu Omorodion, the 20-year-old former Atletico Madrid striker, leveled the match at 2-2, capitalizing on another defensive lapse from United. His goal came from a cross that the United defense failed to deal with, a recurring issue that has plagued the team this season.
Omorodion’s night didn’t end there, as he managed to score his second goal early in the second half, completing Porto’s comeback and putting them 3-2 ahead. The young striker caused havoc for United’s new-look central defensive pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt throughout the match. Both defenders, usually reliable, struggled to contain Omorodion’s movement and physicality, leading to widespread criticism of their performances.
Fans were quick to voice their concerns about the defense’s inability to cope with Porto’s attacks, with many pointing the finger at Ten Hag’s tactical decisions. Martinez and De Ligt, two players who have played together before at Ajax, were expected to form a solid partnership, but their miscommunication and mistakes against Porto left supporters frustrated. The failure to manage the game and secure what should have been a comfortable win has led to increased scrutiny of Ten Hag’s approach.
Despite a late equalizer from United, which salvaged a point from the match, the overall performance left a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters. Many feel that the team’s defensive frailties and lack of composure in key moments are reflective of larger issues within the squad, and some are beginning to question whether Ten Hag is the right man to lead the club forward.
This draw, combined with the recent loss to Spurs, has added to the growing discontent among fans, many of whom are concerned about the direction the team is heading under Ten Hag’s leadership. While the manager has shown flashes of promise since taking charge, the inconsistency in results and performances has led some supporters to speculate that his position may be under threat if things do not improve soon.
As the pressure mounts, Ten Hag will need to find solutions quickly to address the team’s defensive struggles and ensure that Manchester United can get back on track in both domestic and European competitions.
