Erik Ten Hag and The Dressing Room
After the thrashing City put on Man Utd, the team had a chance to make amends against a third string Newcastle team in the Carabao cup. Ten Hag put out a competent lineup and I decided to watch the game (my decision would’ve been completely different if Newcastle’s first team was playing).
United got manhandled again. Back to back 3–0 defeats at Old Trafford. The entire game could be summed up in a three minute spell where United were attacking the Stretford End and a well constructed move fell to Reguilon at the edge of the box — he whacked in the 20th row. On the next Newcastle possession, a jammy attack ends up with a ball headed away by Maguire and the resulting clearance was volleyed in by Hall. It’s too funny.
Dressing Room Leaks
A common theme for Manchester United since Sir Alex retired have been leaks coming from the dressing room. Now, no one is a hundred percent sure who is the source of these leaks. It could be the players or it could be staff members, but the theme is the same as always. After a few bad results, news hits the media. Here’s some examples:
Van Gaal
The former Dutch Man Utd manager would often hold “Evaluation Sessions” after each game, detailing the errors each player had made in a public manner. At the time, senior players like Rooney and Carrick voiced their concerns and told the manager that his method was counter-intituitive. As a response, Van Gaal started sending each player long emails detailing their faults. Van Gaal also had trackers fitted to check if the emails were opened and how long they were kept open.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho already had a track record of falling out with high profile players, but what really ticked him at United came before a game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was revealed that his selected lineup was leaked on social media a day before the game, which understandably sent Mourinho into a fit of rage. He ordered an investigation into the matter, however no one really knew who was to blame. The only people who knew about the lineup were the players and his backroom staff.
Ole
United treble winner (as a player) had the dream start and in his first full season he exceeded all expectations. Ole always had his doubters who would call him a P.E teacher but United did play some really good football during his time, even though his management style was suspect.
However, the crux of the players had already revealed themselves to care about themselves over the ‘Team’ when the going got tough. After some big defeats, statements were released by Mark Ogden highlighting how Maguire was struggling because there was a lack of communication with De Gea. Just a micro-example of a wider problem. Player power and players looking out for themselves.
Solskjaer’s recent interview with The Athletic was an eye-opener for many people who weren’t aware of these issues.
“I was also disappointed when others said they wouldn’t play or train because they wanted to force their way out.”
- Ole
- Ralf Rangnick
The Rangnick stint opened a lot of eyes for many of the casual fans as we would get a new statement from inside the dressing room pretty much every other day. One of the most absurd ones we got was that many of the players were concerned with Rangnick’s training style because they were getting home a bit too late.
Ten Hag
Erik Ten Hag hasn’t been absolved of these dressing room issues either. He has tried his best to stamp his authority but this issue runs way to deep to eradicate within 2 seasons.
Players have moaned and complained under this manager, with Jadon Sancho being one of those who hasn’t even tried to hide his feelings after Ten Hag told the media that he hadn’t been picked for the Arsenal game because other players had deserved a place on the bench more than him. When it gets to the point where a player openly expresses his disagreement with the manager, refuses to apologize and sits at home playing fifa while collecting a 350 grand a week cheque, you can assume what kind of an attitude runs through that dressing room.
The Solution
For some the fix would be to rip the whole thing apart and start over. However, that’s really not an easy solution at all. Going by how the Glazers have run the club, it’s more likely for the players to out-last the manager. So its just as hard to instill a sense of discipline in the squad as it is to implement a style of play when the club still employs players at the club who were here 3 managers ago.
Time will tell if Ten Hag is the right man for the job, and time should be given, but one of more pressing issues at the club is the prevalence of player power at the club.
“Leopards don't change their spots.”
- Roy Keane
After a late 1–0 win at Craven Cottage, United and Ten Hag got a much needed boost of confidence. Bruno Fernandes scored a crucial late goal and shut some of his critics up but the next stage is away at Copenhagen in the Champions League. A win is absolutely must. Let’s see what the team can produce.
