Ten Hag should drop 3/10 Man Utd star who was as dangerous as Fernandes vs Spurs

Because the full-time whistle rang out, the ever-outspoken Gary Neville was fast to criticise Manchester United‘s show. He was appalled, rapidly labelling it a “shame”.

It is harsh however true. What this nice membership has grow to be is nothing wanting a laughing inventory. From the halcyon days of Sir Alex Ferguson to the rubble, nearly fairly actually, that engulfs them at Previous Trafford in 2024, they’re a shadow of their former selves.

This United aspect beneath Erik ten Hag, put it merely, has not been adequate they usually confirmed as a lot in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday night, shedding 3-0. Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke had been all available to place the Pink Devils to the sword in a match the place the hosts had been completely outplayed, even earlier than Bruno Fernandes‘ pink card.

It was the highest xG (4.67) by a visiting staff since Manchester Metropolis thrashed Norwich at Carrow Street in 2022. That almost sums it up.

So, who will we blame? You’ll be able to definitely look to Ten Hag. It isn’t getting any higher for him, neither is it getting any higher for membership captain Fernandes.

Fernandes’ efficiency in numbers

Over the past couple of weeks, the Portuguese has began to grow to be a hindrance quite than a assist.

It is a puzzling scenario, actually. He is one of the best participant on the membership, fairly comfortably too. Most issues tick via him and when he is not on tune, United battle.

Final time period the previous Sporting man was at his sensible greatest, scoring 15 targets and supplying 13 assists in all competitions. This season? Nicely, he is but to search out the online or help a single purpose within the Premier League. It is fairly grim studying, fact be advised.

It is during the last three matches now that the Portugal worldwide has actually struggled. Handed a 4/10 match ranking by MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst for his displaying within the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Fernandes ceded possession a fairly exceptional 34 instances.

It did not get significantly better in opposition to Spurs this weekend both with the 30-year-old finishing simply 78% of his passes and shedding each duel he entered earlier than being despatched off.

Harsh or not, it was a slipshod error from Fernandes who was given his marching orders for a rash problem on James Maddison. He’ll now miss the following three video games.

That stated, he wasn’t the one underperformer in pink, removed from it.

Diogo Dalot’s efficiency in numbers

Fernandes’ worldwide colleague Diogo Dalot was in glowing kind in the course of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, successful Manchester United’s Participant of the Season award.

He deputised nicely at left-back and flourished at right-back, ending the 12 months with a haul of three targets and 5 assists.

This season, nevertheless, the distinction has been stark. Dalot is noticeably struggling at left-back and was given a proper runaround by Spurs winger Johnson on Sunday night.

Handed a 3/10 ranking by the aforementioned Luckhurst, he wrote that the defender was ‘so dangerous for the primary purpose he held his fingers up earlier than Brennan Johnson had scored’.

If that did not typify his show then his yellow card did. Dalot gifted the ball away after which within the strategy of attempting to win it again rashly fouled Johnson.

To make issues worse, the 25-year-old accomplished a dismal complete of 74% of his passes, handing away possession 13 instances as he in some way survived the complete 90 minutes.

Reality be advised, the Portuguese merely has to maneuver again to a right-sided function. He’ll little question thrive there however for now, Ten Hag will certainly lust after the return of a sure Luke Shaw.

Saying that, not even he may save the mess at Previous Trafford proper now. Sadly sufficient, the Dutch boss has larger fish to fry than fixing Dalot’s inconsistencies on the left.