Four Manchester United players could be about to present Erik ten Hag a transfer problem
Erik ten Hag carefully selected the word ‘unprofessional’ to describe Manchester United players on Sunday, which was a sharp criticism.
The collapse of United’s mentality during the second half was alarming to the Dutchman. Despite being better than Liverpool in the first half, United’s performance was disappointing in the second half, and they seemed to give up under Liverpool’s pressure.
Although Marcus Rashford dismissed talk of giving up as ‘nonsense,’ United’s lack of discipline was evident.
Under Ten Hag’s leadership, discipline has been a key element of the club’s success.
The coach has instilled a level of professionalism into the team that was previously lacking. Ten Hag’s decision to bench Rashford for being late to a meeting and to axe Cristiano Ronaldo after his interview with Piers Morgan were both the right calls.
It is uncertain whether the recent defeat was a mere anomaly or a sign of deeper problems, and Manchester United has already bounced back from humiliating losses several times this season.
They will face a tough test against Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday, which will be a measure of their resolve against a determined opponent.
Following Sunday’s defeat, Ten Hag may consider making some changes to the team, which could involve replacing several players who may not be in his long-term plans. Earlier this year, MEN Sport reported that the club had identified a list of players they were willing to sell as part of a summer rebuilding process.
It is unclear which specific players are on the list, but it appears that Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof may be playing less prominent roles, indicating that their futures at Manchester United are being evaluated.
However, if a fringe player steps up and performs well against Real Betis on Thursday, it could prompt Ten Hag to reconsider his plans.
Although Aaron Wan-Bissaka has recently improved his form, his future at the club is also uncertain and he may also start in Thursday’s match.
For players like Maguire, McTominay, Lindelof, and Wan-Bissaka, Thursday’s match represents an opportunity to take control of their own futures. Maguire, who has been the club captain since 2020, has only started in 10 matches this season. However, he has acted professionally in his supporting role and remains an influential figure in the dressing room, particularly during difficult times such as the past few days.
Despite seeing a reduction in their playing time, McTominay and Lindelof remain valuable squad players for a club that is competing in multiple competitions this season. Wan-Bissaka, who has shown improvement in form, could use this opportunity to make a claim for a spot in the club’s strongest lineup, particularly with Diogo Dalot’s recent struggles.
Ten Hag used the term “unprofessional” because he wants to see a committed and disciplined performance from his players. For those who are called upon to play on Thursday, there is no better way to demonstrate these qualities than by coming in after a heavy defeat and stabilizing the team’s performance.
This is what the players must do going forward, as well – when called upon, they need to meet the requirements of their roles. One of Ten Hag’s main criticisms after the recent match was that his players didn’t fulfill their duties, and if the players on the fringes of the team can step up and meet those expectations in the coming weeks, it could provide more clarity on their future at Manchester United.
Four Manchester United players could be about to present Erik ten Hag a transfer problem
