Manchester United’s league campaign shows no signs of picking up after Tottenham inflicted the latest defeat, this time 0-3 at home.
Bruno Fernandes’ red card undoubtedly made things more difficult for the team but the performance wasn’t much better when it was 11 vs 11.
In truth, Tottenham looked like they barely needed to get out of second gear after the dismissal, which gave the feeling that United were making a comeback.
It is now just three wins this season from nine games and the team is already firmly on the outside looking in at the league table.
When a loss this comprehensive is handed to the team, there will always be numerous factors and players behind it but Paul Scholes identified the root cause behind it as seen in moments of ‘madness’ he saw unfold outside of the red card.
Paul Scholes’ assessment of ‘unbelievable’ factor
Manchester United arguably started with their strongest XI at present, with the midfield, especially, being the first-choice trio when everyone is fit.
Manuel Ugarte came in for his first league start alongside Kobbie Mainoo with Bruno Fernandes ahead of him.
The dreams of a new combination forming were dashed in the second minute itself, when Van de Ven sprinted through the whole United midfield and defence to cross for Spurs’ opener.
It was a goal straight from last season, when the midfield looked to be a gaping hole and the positional discipline was nowhere to be seen.
Paul Scholes picked up on it and said it’s been happening for far too long to be considered a coincidence anymore.
He said: “They look uncoached, some of the positions they take, Ugarte, for example, must be difficult for a new player. He’s sometimes on the right or popping up on the left.
“Players looked dead today, they looked flat. They don’t know what they want. It’s just madness the positions they sometimes take on the pitch. That’s where Man Utd are, and it’s difficult to watch.
“Teams have come to Old Trafford and looked better coached and today was no different.”
Assessing Scholes’ comments
After the consecutive wins vs Southampton and Barnsley, followed by encouraging performances vs Crystal Palace and FC Twente, it looked like United were moving to a coherent style of play.
That was torn to shred vs Tottenham as last year’s ugly problems came to the fore against a high-intensity outfit clearly motivated to do one over United.
What Scholes says was clear for Spurs’ first goal but it also became a theme of the game going forward.
When a team stretches United and makes the game end-to-end, Ten Hag’s men, instead of controlling games or being smart with the ball, tend to fall in a ping-pong battle.
It will produce results on the odd occasion, the thrilling 4-3 win vs Liverpool in the FA Cup last season a prime example, but most of the time, that “plan” will lead to results like these.
The reality is, Spurs pressed with more coherence, identifying the pressing zones and triggers much more effectively than Ten Hag, who is in the third year of his job.
Players on the pitch are not without fault but after a long time, it does feel like the structure is letting them down, instead of the other way around, as has been the case for pretty much every manager pre-Erik ten Hag.
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