The manager had spent the entire pre-season instilling discipline and tactical structure while working to repair the squad’s confidence and courage. There were a series of group and individual conversations where Ten Hag reminded players of their strengths, offered his support and asked them to take ownership of their story and not let it be defined by the past. He has also done so publicly, endorsing and sticking with Harry Maguire as captain, for example, rather than the vacillating Cristiano Ronaldo in the media. Monday 22 August 18:30 Start 20:00 The first half against Graham Potter’s men hadn’t even reached the 10th minute when United started to “brick”. This description came from a conversation between a player and his agent, where there was an admission that the squad were unprepared for Brighton’s immediate approach and were wilting under the pressure of erasing last season’s misery, as well as a declaration of a new era in front of the home crowd. Damningly for United, Brentford mimicked Brighton’s plan to go wide, win second balls, target Lisandro Martinez and aggressively press Ten Hag’s men into discomfort with greater success. “We looked at what Brighton did well against them,” Thomas Frank said. “Normally, Brighton always set up from the keeper, but they went too far every time so, of course, we looked at it. We knew we had that weapon, so we did it.” That artillery piece was the not-so-secret Ivan Toney, although United looked stunned by his aerial prowess. “My ability in the air is something we worked on,” said the striker. “Obviously I’m up against a smaller centre-back. It was a good game.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Highlights from Brentford’s Premier League win over Manchester United Perhaps the most incisive analysis came from Brentford defender Ben Mee, who insisted his side were ready to highlight United’s psychological strain. “We knew they would be a bit unsure from the weekend (defeat to Brighton) and maybe not confident. “With the determination, the pace and the power we’ve got going forward, we’re pushing them, we’re in their faces, they didn’t enjoy it all. We made the most of it.” Ralf Rangnick had analyzed that eroding the team’s mental blocks was paramount to improving performance and brought in sports psychologist Sascha Lense. The interim manager’s spell has been abysmal, but many sources said it was not down to the changes he tried to make or his findings about the wider structural state of United’s game, but a lack of buy-in from the players and empowerment from the club. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Gary Neville says Manchester United have hit a new low and have lost all confidence after their humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford. Changing the mentality will be fundamental for Ten Hag to minimize individual mistakes and erase the uncertainty around United. Goalkeeper David de Gea even admitted that the club’s disastrous 2021/22 season is “still in our minds” as “when something goes wrong, people panic”. Ten Haag’s decision to take a day off and put the squad through a grueling training session may have underlined the law of not shying away from effort and the need to do the shirt proud, but it will not help restore confidence. The manager cannot escape the question of how his tactical plan was so easily undone by Brighton and Brentford, but it is the solution to the problems United have yet to face. Turmoil in the transfer market means Martinez and Christian Eriksen, two players who have been particularly targeted by the opposition, were not on the pre-season tour and have yet to fully integrate into United. This is on top of the embarrassment of how the Frenkie de Jong saga has been allowed to drag on and even a deal for Adrien Rabiot – who Juventus are desperate to get rid of – has yet to be closed due to personal terms. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp give their views on what has gone wrong for Manchester United United entered yet another season without healing their need for stability, a forward figure and a destroyer at the heart of their midfield. The desperate plunge for Marko Arnautovic and the swift withdrawal of any deal has not gone down well in the dressing room, where there is a sense that United have become the joke of the transfer window. A versatile offensive and focal point has not been signed to bolster the offense. When things aren’t good off the field, the signs will show on it. None of this excuses players from not being able to get the basics right and make shocking performances. United are poor sellers due to not maximizing the best of expensive paid assets, significantly reducing their value. This has led to the club being unable to change players who should no longer be at Old Trafford and sticking with those who have proven incompatible with the pressure, expectations and style of football required. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Sam Allardyce believes Erik ten Hag now understands how big Manchester United’s job is after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat by Brentford. There is concern that further imbalance will arise under the current recruitment strategy which gives Ten Hag every player he spots rather than working on a long-term scouting and analysis practice like Manchester City, Liverpool and the teams who beat them this season – Brentford and Brighton – do. United are used to enjoying managers rather than building a squad that caters to a particular identity, regardless of who is on board. The vision must be in place first before bringing in the appropriate figure for the helm. By all accounts Ten Haag is an excellent manager, but he is not a sporting director or a top scout and should not have a point in transfers. United have shown there is still an absence of conviction, intelligence and structure behind the scenes. Another huge difference between the pre-season tour and the current reality is the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo overshadowing everything. Ten Haag coped with his absence admirably, but concerns about a subversive and individualistic nature are now evident. The forward’s decision not to acknowledge United’s traveling fans after Saturday’s defeat did not go down well with his team-mates. There is also annoyance at how much he is being indulged by the club. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player The Times’ chief football writer Henry Winter says Manchester United’s performance against Brentford was “absolutely boneless” and criticizes the Glazer family who own the club. The dressing room is still fractured, and while Ten Haag has shown his authority in many ways, sources said they expected a stronger response to Ronaldo, Maguire’s form and retaining the captaincy when there was no pressure to make a firm decision. and the general lack of coherence. One official said a fit Anthony Martial would have a different take on United’s performances in the last two games, but it is shocking that losing one player could make such a devastating difference. The club’s attacking output and pressing might have been better for his presence by using Eriksen as a false nine or star man Ronaldo, but he wouldn’t have helped their attacking defense much. The sense of renewal and confidence of United’s pre-season tour now seems a lifetime away. The caveat when talking about Ten Hag’s positive signs then was that the real challenge is yet to come. United, bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus five, prove it in the most stark way. A mismatched, psychologically shot team has responded to a simplistic transfer policy with a club that has not fared for the best in the business of football. Ten Haag will be the one under pressure and in danger of losing his job as the ‘new Frank de Boer’ if such damaging results and performances continue, but he is just the latest fresh face to be thrown into a mess.
