Sport nation“Erik be sincere, the problem is VAR, the problem is that Arsenal….” Erik Ten Hag told the real reason why Arsenal outclassed them on Sunday plus another claim by Garry Neville
OPINIONManchester United sent Erik ten Hag serious warning against Arsenal
Garry Neville also seems to speak well of the Arsenal team after they beat Manxgester United mercilessly
arsene wenger also predicted that Arsenal will win the Premier league this season
Man United may have got away with it this time but there is a serious problem at the heart of their defence
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watches on during Arsenal defeat
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watches on during Arsenal defeat (Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
For the final 15 minutes including stoppage time, Manchester United had a glimpse at what was a concerning future scenario for the club.
When Jonny Evans replaced Victor Lindelof in the dying stages of the Reds’ clash with Arsenal, only two senior centre-backs were thought to be fit at United – the Northern Irishman and Harry Maguire. While this partnership was the envy of the Premier League in 2018, the gloss has now been fully scratched off.
Evans has been brought in as fifth choice at best and his role will be largely confined to the dressing room if luck is on United’s side, rather than on the pitch. Meanwhile, Maguire is firmly out of favour with Erik ten Hag and if not for the former captain pulling the plug on a deal, he would not have been an option at the Emirates Stadium.
In the days which have followed, thankfully the issues to both Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez appear to be minor. Both men should make a full recovery by the time the Reds return to action against Brighton and Hove Albion.
But, Ten Hag and United should be fully aware of how grave a situation the club could find itself in if another wave of injuries demolishes through the Reds’ defence. Four matches into the new season and already it seems like a terrible decision not to have invested in at least one centre-back in the summer.
Of course, the boss was not to know the extent of the injuries which were going to impact his squad so early on. However, Raphael Varane has had a history of injury problems since arriving in Manchester so extra cover would have made sense.
Sadly, lack of proper investment above Ten Hag has seen his hands tied and there is little he could do when several areas of the team needed strengthening. His fingers will be crossed firmly in the hope his squad comes back unscathed from the international break.
Manchester United 2023/2024 away kit
Get the Manchester United away kit for 23/24
One of the stand-out kits of the new season, the base colour of the adidas shirt is green with white stripes and maroon lines ensuring United will boast one of the most eye-catching shirts in the game for the 2023/2024 campaign.
OPINIONManchester United sent Erik ten Hag serious warning against Arsenal
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Man United may have got away with it this time but there is a serious problem at the heart of their defence
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watches on during Arsenal defeat
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag watches on during Arsenal defeat (Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
For the final 15 minutes including stoppage time, Manchester United had a glimpse at what was a concerning future scenario for the club.
When Jonny Evans replaced Victor Lindelof in the dying stages of the Reds’ clash with Arsenal, only two senior centre-backs were thought to be fit at United – the Northern Irishman and Harry Maguire. While this partnership was the envy of the Premier League in 2018, the gloss has now been fully scratched off.
Evans has been brought in as fifth choice at best and his role will be largely confined to the dressing room if luck is on United’s side, rather than on the pitch. Meanwhile, Maguire is firmly out of favour with Erik ten Hag and if not for the former captain pulling the plug on a deal, he would not have been an option at the Emirates Stadium.
In the days which have followed, thankfully the issues to both Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez appear to be minor. Both men should make a full recovery by the time the Reds return to action against Brighton and Hove Albion.
But, Ten Hag and United should be fully aware of how grave a situation the club could find itself in if another wave of injuries demolishes through the Reds’ defence. Four matches into the new season and already it seems like a terrible decision not to have invested in at least one centre-back in the summer.
Of course, the boss was not to know the extent of the injuries which were going to impact his squad so early on. However, Raphael Varane has had a history of injury problems since arriving in Manchester so extra cover would have made sense.
Sadly, lack of proper investment above Ten Hag has seen his hands tied and there is little he could do when several areas of the team needed strengthening. His fingers will be crossed firmly in the hope his squad comes back unscathed from the international break.
Manchester United 2023/2024 away kit
Get the Manchester United away kit for 23/24
One of the stand-out kits of the new season, the base colour of the adidas shirt is green with white stripes and maroon lines ensuring United will boast one of the most eye-catching shirts in the game for the 2023/2024 campaign.
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Sport nation
Amina Umar