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The match commenced poorly for United, who found themselves trailing just three minutes in when Brennan Johnson found the net. As one observer noted, "United were already being outclassed by Tottenham long before Fernandes' controversial 42nd-minute dismissal." [Harry Poole, BBC] The first half was characterized as "one of the worst performances I have seen under Ten Hag—and that is saying something," by Gary Neville, who echoed the sentiments of numerous disillusioned supporters. His analysis continued, underscoring that "it has been as bad as it gets—no urgency, no life in them," highlighting the stark disparity between the two teams.
As the match unfolded, it became increasingly evident that United possessed no discernible strategy. Pundits criticized the players for being "second to everything," [Oliver Holt, Daily Mail] and deemed their efforts as "a shocking, sobering day." [Tomas Doherty, BreakingNews.ie] The palpable lack of direction and purpose led former players to express disbelief at the team's failure to perform at even a basic level, with one commentator remarking, "They looked semi-detached and semi-interested," [Oliver Holt, Daily Mail] emphasizing the extent of United's struggles.
Bruno Fernandes' sending off overshadowed the match and has since raised significant questions regarding his leadership. Many believed the decision was unjust, with Young asserting, "I don't think it is serious foul play; he slips." Nonetheless, the red card marked a tipping point in an already disastrous outing, with Ten Hag stating, "The red card changed everything." [Richie Mills, TEAMtalk] This incident not only sidelines Fernandes for the upcoming matches but also invites scrutiny regarding the team's mentality and discipline.
Critics have interpreted the sending off as symptomatic of deeper issues within the squad. Jamie Redknapp pointed to the lack of confidence and identity, stating, "They are rock bottom right now," [Archie Griggs, Express] suggesting that this incident is more than a momentary lapse in judgment. The ramifications of Fernandes' absence will be palpable in the forthcoming fixtures, exacerbating the pressure on Ten Hag to devise swift solutions.
The defeat has reignited discussions surrounding Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United. Following the match, former players such as Robbie Savage expressed concerns, stating, "I think they’ve got to make a big decision this week—I think his time might be up." The mounting pressure on Ten Hag is evident as he grapples with unifying a fractured squad and delivering consistent performances.
Despite having received backing from the club after an extensive review earlier in the summer, the dismal results now call into question the wisdom of that decision. The new ownership's patience appears to be waning, with one pundit observing, "It is a matter of time before Ten Hag is dismissed." The path ahead for United seems fraught with challenges, and the upcoming matches will be crucial for Ten Hag to demonstrate his capacity to steer the team back on track.