The great Manchester United inquest – Erik Ten Hag’s flops just keep plumbing new depths – so who’s to blame… and can anybody fix them?

• Manchester United season slumped to a new low after a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle 
• Mail Sport experts answer the key questions surrounding Man United’s malaise
• IAN LADYMAN: Erik ten Hag reminds me of David Moyes – It’s All Kicking Off 

Manchester United’s season plunged to new depths on Wednesday night when Erik ten Hag’s side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup following a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle.

The result came just three days after they were brushed aside by neighbours Manchester City by the same scoreline, with the Red Devils losing successive home games by three or more goals for the first time since 1962.

Ten Hag is facing mounting pressure after overseeing the club’s worst start to a season in six decades, after losing eight of their opening 15 matches of a season.

Man United will look to respond against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, with the club lying eighth in the table, eight points off the Champions League places.

Here, Mail Sport’s experts answer key questions on Man United’s malaise.

Manchester United slumped to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup

The result increased pressure on manager Erik ten Hag after a dreadful start to the season

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THE REPORTER – CHRIS WHEELER

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

A club in disarray from top to bottom, sleepwalking into another crisis as a result of absent owners, sub-standard leadership, a manager who is losing control and players who don’t seem to care. 

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

That’s three questions! Erik ten Hag has to take a lot of the blame. After 18 months, this is his team now and United have spent £400million putting it together. The Glazers didn’t let Tino Livramento waltz through to set up the first goal for Newcastle. The players are failing Ten Hag, though, just as they did with all the other managers before him.

He lasts as long as United’s nerve holds. It’s always hard to say, but the fact we are airing these questions openly now shows he’s in trouble. And, thirdly, there’s always someone better to do the job until they get it. Old Trafford has become a graveyard for managers. We’ve seen them come and go over the last decade.

Even legendary coaches like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho turn into basket cases at United.

Ten Hag has been able to shape the squad over 18 months so must take a lot of the blame

Legendary coach Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho were worn down while at Man United

Where will they finish this season?…

My head says seventh because there are (at least) six better teams than United in the Premier League. My heart says eighth because I don’t want to cover the Conference League next season. 

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

An old VW Golf convertible. Sexy in the 90s but has seen better days thanks to some not-so-careful owners. Oh, and the roof leaks. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

Christmas is coming! No, even Sir Alex Ferguson needed time to get it right. In his second full season, United finished 11th, sandwiched between Millwall and Wimbledon. 

THE OLD ENEMY – MARTIN KEOWN

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

This is a sinking ship taking on more and more water with each defeat, having suffered their eighth of the season in that utterly miserable showing against Newcastle at Old Trafford. 

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

The current failings of one of the world’s biggest clubs are a collective responsibility of the staff and players of the first team.

But it is the manager who, with his influence on selection, signings and tactics, takes the ultimate control and blame. Ten Hag knows the rules and realises he is perilously close to losing his job. I’ve not seen any evidence of progress in their performances this season. There’s been a distinct lack of unity from the team and an absence of a clear vision from the manager.

There can be no long-term future for Ten Hag. He must simply go from game to game to determine if he stays or goes, and that makes Fulham on Saturday lunchtime a huge match.

Manchester United’s five wins in the Premier League this season have not been convincing 

Fans must cling to the hope injury hit players like Lisandro Martinez can return and impress

Where will they finish this season?

Eighth is the position they occupy and, in truth, it is hard to see them finishing higher than that in their current state.

Even the five Premier League wins they’ve secured have hardly been convincing. They needed two stoppage-time goals to beat Brentford 2-1. They had to come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Nottingham Forest. They edged past Wolves, Burnley and Sheffield United, all of whom were disappointed not to leave with at least a draw.

Without a monumental upturn in form, it is hard to see United cracking the top six, let alone the top four.

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

I’ll refer you to my first answer — they’re a sinking ship listing in the port of Salford. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

United fans can only cling to the hope that a boatload of injury-free players turn up soon to give them options, with influential defenders Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez among those sidelined. 

THE UNITED FAN – ANTHONY HAY 

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

Martin’s right. A sinking ship.

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

The responsibility falls on the manager despite the players’ incompetence.

Ten Hag has been backed in the transfer market to the tune of £400m and is failing to get the best out of high-profile signings such as Antony, Casemiro and Mason Mount.

It looks like he has lost the dressing room, which means his sacking is inevitable. Zinedine Zidane, Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Antonio Conte should all be considered.

Antony Hay believes Ten Hag has lost the dressing room and his sacking his now inevitable

Ten Hag has been backed but has failed to get the best out of major signings such as Antony

Mason Mount arrived for £60m in the summer but has failed to make a significant impact

Where will they finish this season?

A top-four finish already looks out of reach, so the best United can hope for is fifth spot. 

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

A stalling three-wheeler that has run out of gas. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

Kobbie Mainoo. It’s unfair to pin your hopes on an 18-year-old but he would at least bring some passion, hunger and drive to United’s faltering engine room. 

THE PUNDIT – CHRIS SUTTON

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

This is a rudderless club currently trapped in a joyless cycle — they train, they play, they flounder, they frustrate, then they go again. 

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

Manchester United took great forward strides as a team last season but this term the direction of travel is backwards.

Erik ten Hag has spent £400m since taking charge and that, I’m afraid, is on him. United have an upcoming run of games which, in other eras, you would expect them to stroll. It feels as if Ten Hag cannot afford to lose any of them, certainly not Fulham tomorrow.

Are there alternatives out there? Tottenham found Ange Postecoglou, who has given them an immediate identity. Brighton found De Zerbi, who did the same. United need to find their own messiah if they do push that big red button. The big names haven’t helped Ten Hag — the sight of Antony kicking Jeremy Doku to score points with supporters at the end of their 3-0 loss to Manchester City was grim, as was Bruno Fernandes’s typically bad attitude — but the manager needs to accept responsibility for United’s overall decline.

Ten Hag has spent over £400m since taking charge but Man United are now going backwards

Antony’s clash with Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku was petulant during the derby defeat 

Big names including Man United captain Bruno Fernandes have not helped Ten Hag’s cause

Where will they finish this season?

I’m looking down the table from where they are, not up. What have we seen to suggest otherwise? Maybe a new manager can spark a revival but right now I’m predicting 11th, their first bottom-half finish in the Premier League era. 

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

They’re a spluttering three-wheeler and, as Del Boy might say in Only Fools and Horses, it’s carrying too many plonkers. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

I like Rasmus Hojlund, but his potential will be wasted if he is dragged down to United’s level. So my answer to if there is anything positive to say is… no. 

THE WRITER – OLIVER HOLT

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

A team going backwards fast; a club in limbo.

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

I like Ten Hag and he still has a little credit in the bank from last season. But it’s running out.

He has to take a big share of the blame because his recruitment in the close season, and in general, has been poor. Mount looks lost, Sofyan Amrabat is off the pace, Andre Onana doesn’t even look good with his feet anymore, Hojlund has promise but is too raw, Antony’s a giant waste of money. And Ten Hag’s decision to appoint Fernandes as captain has been a catastrophe.

Time is starting to run out for Ten Hag. All the tell-tale signs of a man under intense pressure are there. He is making strange selection decisions. He is making bizarre excuses for awful displays. If United lose to Fulham and FC Copenhagen, he will struggle to survive.

Oliver Holt believes Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi would be the top choice if Ten Hag leaves

Holt believes it hard to see Man United’s situation improving under the Glazers’ ownership

Anyone who would do a better job? De Zerbi would be the No 1 choice, surely. Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate. Arne Slot is incredibly well regarded in the Netherlands and beyond. The problem is that going to United seems to destroy the career of every manager who steps across the threshold.

Ten Hag bears much of the blame for what is happening but not all of it. United are rotting from top to bottom. The recruitment stinks. It’s tough for any manager to deal with. Until the ownership situation is sorted — and that means more than Sir Jim Ratcliffe owning a quarter share — it is hard to see things improving significantly.

Where will they finish this season?

They’re eighth now and I don’t think that’s a false position. They may creep up a place or two because Brighton, for example, might fade because of the demands of European football on a more shallow squad. I don’t see United finishing higher than sixth. 

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

A rusting Ford Capri. They look about 30 years out of their time. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

Chelsea are even worse.

THE BLUE HALF – JACK GAUGHAN 

Define the current Man Utd in one sentence…

A confused transfer policy contributes to a confused manager contributes to a confused team. 

How much do you blame Ten Hag? How long does he last? Who could do better?

In the summer, I thought Ten Hag would struggle with the second season, following a pattern of managers since David Moyes. I wagered he’d get the year and if next season started poorly then October 2024 might see his time up.

That all feels like it’s accelerated. His messaging after Sunday was so muddled that he doesn’t seem to know which way is up. There has to be an element of blame at his door, especially when the growing influence of his agency SEG is factored in. As for others, look at the guy in the other dugout on Wednesday. Newcastle have had significantly more return on their investment with Eddie Howe.

Where will they finish this season?

Top six, definitely. And that’s with or without Ten Hag. It’ll improve either way but the degree to which it does will be key to the Dutchman’s future. Eight points behind Liverpool in fourth already feels ominous. But that is the pattern of things at United over the last 10 years: one step forward, two back. 

Newcastle have more return on their investment with Eddie Howe than United with Ten Hag

Fans have to believe Sir Jim Ratcliffe revamping the football side can boost their fortunes

If City are a Rolls-Royce, what are United?

I learned to drive in a Mini Cooper. Nippy thing, felt a bit like a go-kart. Could really go through the gears. So I bought one; a few years old but still with all the speed. The reality was that it spent most of its life at the mechanics and eventually ended up juddering to a halt. Its exhaust once fell off down Carrington Lane, outside United’s training ground. No durability. 

Let’s give United fans some hope. Something positive you can say…

It can’t get any worse and the run of fixtures coming up isn’t too bad. More broadly, fans have to believe Sir Jim Ratcliffe clears the decks on the football side and starts again. From a recruitment side, they’ve been moving the deckchairs on the Titanic with scouts and others for too long. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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