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Manchester United’s poor start to the season continued on Thursday as they managed only a point against FC Porto in the Europa League despite racing to a two-goal lead within the first 20 minutes.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund were on target before the team inevitably collapses, conceding twice in seven minutes as the hosts drew level before the break.
Flawed tactics aside, Erik ten Hag’s substitutions also have made very little sense this season and that was against the case on Thursday as he substituted the red-hot Mancunian instead of the invisible Amad Diallo on the opposite flank.
Matthijs de Ligt was torn to shreds as Porto grabbed their third but Harry Maguire equalised late on to spare the manager’s blushes and keep him in the hot seat for at least a couple more days.
EtH struggling
The defence is currently leaking goals while familiar failings were on show with the midfield bypassed too easily. It is clear that the Dutch manager is struggling to get the best out of the team currently.
Irrespective of what he said after the game, INEOS should ideally pull the plug during the international break with there being little chance of a turnaround against an in-form Aston Villa.
Numerous names have been linked with the Old Trafford job but if the former Ajax coach is shown the door, assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to take over, at least temporarily.
But as revealed by The Daily Mail, even the former fan favourite shares similar traits with Ten Hag. The former PSV Eindhoven boss was accused of being too stubborn, something Ten Hag is also guilty of being.
That is not all as the former United striker often had clashes with his players with many forced to complain to the PSV hierarchy which ultimately saw Van Nistelrooy leave his role before the season ended.
“The 48-year-old’s reign at Philips Stadion was overshadowed by talk of private clashes with his players, many of whom held grave concerns over Van Nistelrooy’s coaching abilities.
RvN has same characteristics
“Some players felt he was stubborn and unwilling to adapt his approach. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf carried a story detailing that a number of key players had even approached PSV’s board to express their reservations about Van Nistelrooy’s methods.”
He did win the Dutch Cup, which does go on to show that his methods were effective but there are doubts as to whether he can handle the dressing room which is full of big egos.
The former Netherlands international, however, has credit in the bank with the fans which will allow him time to settle should he be handed the reigns.
But for now, Ten Hag must pray for a miracle against Villa or else the international break could see him receive his marching orders after two years of under-performance, especially in the league.
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