After West Ham’s convincing win over Manchester United, former United midfielder Paul Scholes openly criticized Erik ten Hag’s tactical approach in away games, describing it as “naive.”
Scholes pointed to ongoing difficulties the team faces when playing against top-tier clubs, suggesting that Ten Hag’s tactics have consistently fallen short in these challenging matches.
Manchester United’s away game record under Ten Hag has raised concerns, especially with significant defeats to clubs like West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Newcastle. Scholes specifically questioned Ten Hag’s choice to stick with a single holding midfielder when facing formidable teams away from home, arguing that this tactic leaves the squad vulnerable defensively and fails to effectively counter high-caliber opponents.
Adding to the critique was Ten Hag’s surprising decision to start 19-year-old defender Willy Kambwala against West Ham. The unexpected inclusion of such a young and relatively untested player raised questions about Ten Hag’s judgment, especially in a high-stakes match.
This decision has fueled further scrutiny of Ten Hag’s lineup choices and overall strategic planning, with some feeling that his selection was overly risky.
This defeat has not only amplified pressure on Ten Hag but has also intensified focus on his performance and leadership at a time when Manchester United’s future ownership is in question.
Reports indicate that British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering a 25% stake acquisition in the club, a development that could bring further changes and expectations.
As the January transfer window approaches, Ten Hag faces mounting pressure to reassess his approach, especially in away matches where Manchester United has struggled to secure points.
His ability to adjust his tactical approach, particularly in away fixtures, will be pivotal to the club’s aspirations for the season and could heavily influence his position as manager.
