From the 2021/22 season’s turmoil to qualifying for the Champions League this term, Manchester United have come a long way under Erik ten Hag.
In just over a year, Erik ten Hag has managed to instil some fight, spirit and robustness on and off the pitch within his squad. It is widely acknowledged that the Dutchman’s first season at Old Trafford has brought so many improvements, with the Red Devils clinching a place in the Champions League and ending their six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.
However, Man United are nowhere near the finished article under Ten Hag and there are a few areas that they must improve in order to challenge for top honours. Here are the three areas United should improve and look to build on what was an impressive 2022/23 campaign.
- Away form against top six
The United fans would have been delighted to watch Old Trafford become a fortress again, with Ten Hag’s side losing just once in the Premier League all season—and that was way back on the opening day to Brighton. But on their travels, Ten Hag’s side endured a tough time.
Although United had the fifth-best away record in the division, seven of their eight wins have come against opponents in the bottom half of the table. Ten Hag’s side capitulated every time they met a half-decent side away from home. They managed just one point from 24 away against the top nine this past term. The only point the Red Devils took was against Tottenham in a 2-2 draw.
This clearly remains a blind spot for United and Ten Hag must definitely look to improve his team’s away form in his second term.
- Change the mentality
Things were always going to be tough for Ten Hag after United’s shambolic 2021/22 season, and the demonic away defeats to Man City, Liverpool, Brentford, Arsenal and Newcastle United this past term further highlighted how big a job he faces in restoring the club’s lost glory.
In too many big games on their travels, Ten Hag’s side simply didn’t turn up and put in a decent performance. They lacked belief and often their shoulders dropped quickly after the first setback. For the squad Ten Hag inherited last summer, this was expected after years of mediocrity and lack of self-belief to go toe-to-toe with top teams.
There remains some sort of mental barrier, an inferiority complex or an unspoken resignation that needs to be weeded out by the Dutch manager if the Red Devils are to compete for major honours again.
- The need for better distribution from the back
The goalkeeping department has been a big issue at United for a while now, with David de Gea a major point of debate among the fans.
De Gea’s performances have come under scrutiny in recent months following costly mistakes against Sevilla, West Ham and Manchester City. The 32-year-old’s poor distribution and inability to control the six-yard box has regularly come into question, proving he is not an ideal fit for the possession-based style of football Ten Hag wants this United team to play.
Even though the Spaniard won the Golden Glove award this past season, there are so many limitations to his game. Whether or not Ten Hag sticks with De Gea between the sticks or signs a new goalkeeper in this transfer window, distribution has to be a lot better for United in the 2023/24 season.