Manchester United were reduced to a mere miserable rabble as their descent into the mire continued after their defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n
This is indeed a far different outcome from the Carabao Cup final they emerged victors in last season. With the latest deplorable outcome staring him harshly in the face \u2013 despite his pre-match program notes containing the assertion that it was \u201conly a matter of time before we show our true selves\u201d \u2013Erik ten Hag did not try to put up any feeble excuses for their abominable performance but instead pronounced himself a fighter. Which sadly sounds like another form of self-denial.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag\u2019s side have\u00a0been truly shambolic, behaving like a motley crew of misfits who were easily overpowered by a depleted Newcastle side comprising a mix and match of youngsters and the more seasoned campaigners, albeit a most potent combination totally unlike the Old Trafford mixed brew. It was a new definition of dreadful that was witnessed at the Theater of Dreams this time, just like the recent debacle being trolled by crosstown rivals Manchester City most recently.<\/p>\n
What had been envissaged to be a new glorious season has spiraled into a seemingly bottomless pit of darkness. And no amount of fanciful sugar-coating of a Ten Hag in stark denial in recent weeks claiming his side were on the right track will halt their steep descent. Not any more and not now for sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team we are not good enough and whatever the reasons are, it is no space for excuses,\u201d he finally admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is below the standards everyone expects from Manchester United. It is not good enough by far. We have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Put simply without calling a spade the \u2018implement rectangular that turneth the earth\u2019, they are performing abominably.<\/p>\n
Already 15 games into the season and the long ago, once-fearsome Red Devils have lost more than they have won, being arguably only better in their Carabao clash against Crystal Palace as they have fared far worse on most other occasions.<\/p>\n
Newcastle\u2019s biggest win at Old Trafford since 1930 is understandably a major throwback for United, needless to say. It\u2019s been 93 years had United lost five of their first 10 home matches of a campaign. The four days of ignominy also saw them losing consecutively by at least three goals for the first time since 1962.<\/p>\n
Ludicrously it was also a night when Ten Hag\u2019s team had more captains than shots on target, with the armband passing between Casemiro, Victor Lindelof and substitute Bruno Fernandes.<\/p>\n
It may be a footnote in United\u2019s year or a sign of the crisis in leadership at Old Trafford. But, for all the Glazers\u2019 enduring failings, the immediate blame rests with Ten Hag, as he accepts. The Dutchman did not try to shy away from the scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand it when the results are not there it is also a logical process that they are questioning that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I am confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it and also last year here I did it as well, but at this moment we are in a bad place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where until recently, they were unbeaten at home in 31 games in almost a year, now they have only scored five of the last 16 goals seen at their home ground.<\/p>\n
The pertinent questions arising now are whether Ten Hag has gone beyond the point of no return; whether he can halt the staggering slump, let alone reverse it; can he can he instil the will to fight into a seemingly lackluster group lacking the motivation to push on in ways that matter instead of just paying lip service each time they are under public scrutiny?<\/p>\n
It is also undeniable that Ten Hag\u2019s player selections have been questionable this season, with numerous decisions backfiring. Suggestion of favoritism has arisen with some players having veered in and out of favor. Also not many player combinations within the side have worked to their advantage.<\/p>\n
United are obviously in most shambolic situation, and a most costly one at that. New signings \u2013 like Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount or Rasmus Hojlund \u2013 have rarely had the desired impact. Even the three biggest buys last season, namely Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony, have all gone alarmingly on the backfoot.<\/p>\n
Yet Ten Hag enthused that the will to battle will be seen, namely his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it is not always going up and we have a lot of setbacks this season so far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n