Erik ten Hag is reportedly causing increasing frustration among Manchester United players with his unpredictable squad changes, such as substituting Marcus Rashford at halftime during the match against FC Porto.
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Rashford had been performing well, troubling Porto’s defense and scoring his fourth goal of the season…Continue Reading
Following the 3-3 draw, which left United winless in their first two Europa League games, Ten Hag explained the decision as part of his rotation strategy ahead of the upcoming fixture against Aston Villa.
Fans, however, remained unconvinced, adding pressure on Ten Hag during what has been a poor start to the season.
The 54-year-old manager has also made frequent defensive changes during matches, such as in Porto when he substituted Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.
According to former United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at the club for over a decade, some of the players are becoming increasingly unhappy with Ten Hag’s handling of the team.
“I don’t understand the issue with Marcus Rashford,” Brown, who also worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s second-in-command, told Football Insider.
“In the week [against Porto], he played like the Rashford we know, running at defenders, causing all sorts of trouble and scoring a goal.
“Then he gets taken off at half-time, and you assume he’s picked up an injury, but when Ten Hag was asked about it, he said it was rotation.
“It’s bizarre. Very, very difficult to fathom the thinking behind that. It’s not the first time it’s happened either.
“I’ve heard there are a few frustrations in the dressing room because of these decisions and the way he’s treating the players.
“The main issue with Ten Hag, for me, is trying to understand these decisions he makes. All that sort of thing [taking Rashford off at half-time] does is it just ramps up the pressure.”
Ten Hag is expected to remain in charge of Manchester United when they face Brentford at Old Trafford in the Premier League on October 19.
However, after an executive meeting held in London on Tuesday, there is a growing understanding that the team’s performance needs to improve if he is to retain his position.
United have managed only three wins from their first 11 matches this season, with just two victories in seven league games.
