Manchester United: Erik ten Hag's Team Struggles as Premier League's Biggest Underachievers

Manchester United's Early Season Struggles: An Analytical Review

The jury is out on Manchester United once again, as the club finds itself languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. After a series of underwhelming performances, there's a pressing question on the minds of fans and analysts alike: Is there any indication of improvement?

Erik Ten Hag's Perspective on Performance

Following the disappointing 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League, coach Erik Ten Hag emphasized that his side lacked a crucial 99 percent effort. Currently, United sits in 11th place in the Premier League after five games, raising concerns about their trajectory.

Improvement in Attack Metrics

Despite the club's position in the league, underlying statistics suggest a glimpse of improvement compared to last season. Manchester United ranks in the top five across several key attacking metrics, hinting at their potential to climb back into competitive form.

Defensive Improvements

Last season, United faced an overwhelming 667 shots in the Premier League, a figure that left them vulnerable, trailing only Sheffield United in that regard. Fortunately, that number has significantly decreased this term, nearly halving on a per-match average. Currently, only five clubs have faced fewer shots.

League Topping Interceptions

Under Ten Hag's leadership, the team has also made a league-leading 59 interceptions, which points to a slight boost in defensive solidity. However, despite these improvements, the reality of league standings casts a shadow over their efforts.

Mismatch: Expected vs. Actual Performance

According to expected goals (xG) metrics, Manchester United is overperforming in certain areas yet remains one of the biggest underachievers in the league. Based on xG for and against, they could be sitting at fifth instead of their current position.

• United finds itself just three points shy of table-toppers Manchester City when considering xG.
• However, the reality is stark: they have scored around five goals fewer than expected this season, proving detrimental to their standing.

Key Players Underperforming

Bruno Fernandes has been particularly underwhelming, registering 1.86 xG without netting a goal. Meanwhile, young stars Joshua Zirkee and Alejandro Garnacho have excelled in creating opportunities but have failed to convert, with each scoring only once despite high expectations.

Inconsistencies in Squad Performance

The inconsistency in player performances has been a talking point. Marcus Rashford recently broke his goal drought against Southampton, but his subsequent appearances have been less fruitful. Questions remain whether he should assume a regular central role as a No 9.

Defensive Pairing Challenges

There has been no stable centre-back pairing, with the most used partnership being that of 36-year-old Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane, who has since retired. This continual reshuffling has caused lapses in defensive coordination.

Financial Backing for Ten Hag

Erik Ten Hag, now in his third season at Old Trafford, has received considerable backing from INEOS, allowing him to maintain his position following a summer review. Having invested 616.8 million in transfers since his reign began, United's spending ranks only behind Chelsea in the Premier League.

A Crucial Period Ahead

Ten Hag now faces a pivotal stretch, with upcoming matches against Tottenham, FC Porto, and high-flying Aston Villa. Historically, he has shown resilience during challenging times at Old Trafford and will need to leverage that experience to convert underlying numbers into tangible success on the field.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Manchester United

Manchester United’s journey this season will depend significantly on their ability to turn expected goals into actual results. The underlying metrics indicate potential, but without improvement in finishing and consistency, the fears of another disappointing season may continue to loom.

As the team prepares for upcoming matches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Red Devils can harness their improving metrics into a successful campaign.