by They were smiling in Manchester when fortune decided that United would be paired with Bayern, Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the group stage of the Champions League. Little to scratch against the Bavarians, with a much more consolidated squad and project, but the squad and the Mancunian entity had more than enough to get through this first phase without too many problems.
However, United, Ten Hag and the entire city have come face to face with a reality that hurts a lot. Because the team has shown that it is not even able to compete in this Champions League. Just four points added in six games, bottom on its own merits and with the feeling that Manchester United is anything but a team. Many individualities but nothing that unites them. A lot of talent and little project. When it’s time to give up, Ten Hag’s outfit falls to pieces. Second time that United finished last in a Champions League group stage. Tremendous.
After the duel against Bayern that confirmed the disaster with the goodbye not only to the Champions League but also to Europe, the Dutch coach made less self-criticism than expected: “We made some individual mistakes, but the performance was good. Although we lost, we did not deserve to lose the game. We must be more consistent. “My obligation is to improve the team, guide the players and make them more responsible.”
“United was no threat to Bayern”
Ten Hag looks strong enough to lead the team, although the press is beginning to see the coach’s credit as somewhat exhausted. “They hit rock bottom,” headlined some newspapers such as the Daily Star. Steve Bruce, ‘Red Devil’ legend, assured after the nonsense in the Champions League that “The fans have shown a lot of patience, but this is already a big disappointment. United were no threat to Bayern.who did the minimum to win.”
And the serious situation can even get worse. The Red Devils, outside of Europe, are already six points away from the Champions League in the Premier League, and this weekend they face the almighty Liverpool at Anfield. If there were a major setback, Ten Hag would be more than affected on the Manchester United bench. For now it’s holding on because the crisis at the club goes beyond what’s happening on the pitch.But the truth is that, if there is no immediate improvement, the situation will already be unsustainable.
There are those who still believe that the Dutchman will be able to turn the tables. The reality, at the moment, is that Manchester United continues to plummet and there is not a single player who is at the level expected. Template to compete for everything, but a project that is failing.
