Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag says the membership is “in a foul place” however that he nonetheless believes he’s the proper man to cease the downward spiral at Outdated Trafford.
Newcastle’s 3-0 EFL Cup win was their largest away success over Manchester United in 93 years. It condemned the Reds to their eighth defeat in 15 matches, their worst begin to a season since 1962-63.
Coming off the again of Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat by Metropolis, it was the primary time United have misplaced successive dwelling video games by three targets or extra since October 1962. They’ve misplaced 5 of their first 10 dwelling video games for the primary time since 1930-31.
The collection of sad statistics have been accompanied by boos at half-time and the ultimate whistle, simply as on Sunday, and convey elevated hypothesis about whether or not Ten Hag is the proper man for the job.
“I perceive when the outcomes usually are not there it’s logical they’re questioning that,” he mentioned.
“However I’m assured I can do it. At this second we’re in a foul place and I take accountability for it.
“However I’m a fighter. I see it as a problem.”
First-half targets from Miguel Almiron and Lewis Corridor put Newcastle in command then, after a short rally at the beginning of the second-half, Joe Willock sealed the win with a well-taken third on the hour.
The house facet solely managed two pictures heading in the right direction and wasted their finest likelihood within the first-half when Anthony Martial appeared to duck out of a header, regardless of being in a central place simply six yards out.
“It’s beneath the requirements everybody expects from Manchester United,” mentioned Ten Hag. “It isn’t adequate by far and we’ve to place it proper.
“I take accountability for it. It’s my group and they aren’t performing.”
Ten Hag confirmed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro will miss the Saturday lunchtime Premier League encounter with Fulham after struggling an damage throughout the first-half of his return after a three-game absence.
“Now we have numerous setbacks this season to date, however that’s by no means an excuse, it’s a must to get leads to,” he mentioned. “Clearly, Sunday and tonight have been removed from that.”
‘Questions concerning the supervisor’ – pundits react
United have misplaced 5 of their first 10 video games at dwelling for the primary time since 1930-31, having misplaced simply as soon as at dwelling within the Premier League final season – successful 15 or 18.
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole, talking on Sky Sports activities, mentioned: “Folks now come to Outdated Trafford considering they will beat Man Utd.
“There are going to be questions concerning the supervisor, Man Utd have been actually poor. The gamers must take an excellent have a look at themselves.
“Once you see performances like this, it’s a must to ask ‘what’s going on right here?’
“If he does not get leads to the following couple of video games, followers’ attitudes in direction of Ten Hag can change in a short time.”
Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given claimed “it feels there’s a divide between the gamers and the supervisor” and added “there seems to be an actual fallout behind the scenes”.
“The gamers should take accountability nevertheless it appears on the finish of a supervisor’s tether, there’s a disconnect,” he continued.
“He has spent £411m and that’s his group. The place do they go from right here? Do the board and administrators have numerous considering to do?
“I believe they are going to be. It isn’t adequate for a membership this dimension and the supervisor has to take the ultimate flak.”
Ex-United captain Gary Neville was equally unimpressed.
“Man Utd gamers have been complaining to the ref, whinging, and whereas they have been whinging Newcastle have been attacking. It’s schoolboy stuff, under-9s,” he mentioned.
“Man Utd followers have been most likely anticipating what they’re seeing. Each group that got here right here this season ought to have gotten one thing.
“I do not know the place he begins selecting a facet subsequent, as none of them can actually say they need to play.
“We’re seeing a repeat of United shedding their self-discipline, not ardour – it’s petulance. It is sort of a bunch of youngsters on the schoolyard.”
Evaluation – ‘There’s nonetheless perception in Ten Hag’
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone
There was no suggestion from anybody at United throughout an unexpectedly tortuous begin to the season that backing for Ten Hag is wavering. Even the booing from the stands appears a bit half-hearted.
There’s a perception in Ten Hag, the progress made final season buys him a while and, lower than two years after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked, there’s little urge for food for the form of upheaval that adopted the Norwegian’s exit.
Additionally it is true as properly that till the present possession state of affairs is resolved, it’s hardly doubtless the Glazer household would eliminate their supervisor.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s mooted 25% buy involves move – and with it comes some component of management over the sporting facet of the membership – it will hardly make sense that crucial determine inside that sporting construction was modified simply earlier than the brand new part-owner got here in.
That mentioned, Ten Hag is aware of he should flip this case round.
What BBC Sport readers assume
Tim: This United facet is absolutely the worst I’ve seen. What’s worse is a few of these gamers are being paid extortionate quantities of cash. The membership is an entire mess.
Colin: Worst Utd group within the final 10 years.
Mikeal: Persons are going accountable the supervisor once more for an terrible show of soccer, however when are they going to grasp that it’s the gamers which might be giving up. Manchester United have been doing it since Sir Alex Ferguson left, not certainly one of them participant would get in to a high six group!
Tim: What number of instances in final 10 years have I heard Man Utd followers say it’s the worst facet they’ve seen? They can not maintain getting worse, can they?
Package: This Man Utd group appear like they met for the primary time this night. Truthfully what do they do in coaching every week?
Andrew: Ten Hag is an effective supervisor and United are fortunate to have him. Who is best that will truly need the job? Significantly as the issue is clearly within the boardroom, and that will not be fastened for years.
Anon: Martial has survived Louis Van Gaal, Giggs, Mourinho, Ole, Michael Carrick, Ralf Ragnick and now will probs survive Ten Hag. And he’s enjoying up high for us as a quantity 9. Tells you every thing about soccer operations on the membership.
