Manchester United are set for a nervy end to the Premier League season after another 1-0 away defeat at West Ham following their loss to Brighton left their top four spot in doubt
Manchester United lost ground to Liverpool in the top four race as their travelling troubles continued with a 1-0 defeat at West Ham.
A David de Gea howler – which saw Said Behrama’s tame effort from distance bobble into the back of his net – ended up being the decisive moment of the match at the London Stadium.
The Hammers took a big step to securing their Premier League safety as a result. As for United, they now sit just one point above arch rivals Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand.
And while De Gea was to blame for the goal, Erik ten Hag wasn’t clear of criticism. Daily Star Sporthas highlighted three things the Dutchman got wrong in the capital.
Wrong – Playing Weghorst as a No. 10
There’s very little Wout Weghorst offers United, one of the few things being his aerial prowess. So playing him as a No. 10 is utterly useless.
That decision also forces their creative spark Bruno Fernandes out to the left wing, where his influence on the game is far more limited.
If he’s going to start – which he shouldn’t anyway when Anthony Martial is fit – then he has to be up top to allow Fernandes to play in his strongest position.
Right – Taking Weghorst off
The first – and probably only – thing Ten Hag got right all evening was getting Weghorst off the pitch 10 minutes into the second half, which was 10 minutes too late anyway.
He can’t cut it for the Red Devils and his loan from Burnley may as well be ended prematurely, because you can almost guarantee he won’t score between now and the end of the season.
Him making way for Martial meant Marcus Rashford could move back out wide where he should’ve been from the start.
Wrong – Not addressing away woes
Fortunately for United three of their remaining four Prem fixtures are at Old Trafford – because they’ve been woeful on the road way too often this season.
Against the top nine sides they’ve taken just a point in those eight matches, which is a damning indictment.
Yet Ten Hag has done nothing to address the issue. He’s persisted with the same set-up and failed to adapt. Come the summer, that has to be his priority on the training pitch.
Wrong – Maguire benched
Speaking to Sky Sports pre-match, Ten Hag’s explanation for why he started Weghorst was: “You get the idea. His height. His heading game.
“It’s a matter of long balls and second balls and Wout is very good in these situations.”
So why was Harry Maguire not included at the back? Michail Antonio is exactly the sort of striker he’d revel getting into a duel with.
Instead, Victor Lindelof continued his makeshift partnership with Luke Shaw, with Tyrell Malacia – who has also failed to impress – awarded a start he hasn’t earned.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
