Whether it’s the never-ending injury issue or the officiating anomalies that the Dutchman is beginning to see in every game, Erik ten Hag has chosen this week to gripe about Manchester United’s terrible luck this season.
While it’s true that United’s injury woes have made Ten Hag’s job harder this season, his approach to the game is making games more dependent on chance, and when that happens so often against the 19th-best Premier League club, it’s time to think about a switch.
Since the fall, United’s midfield has given the opposing team reason to be optimistic, as they adopt an aggressive stance and send too many players forward, leaving them vulnerable when the game switches gears. In typical fashion for United games, the other team poured shots on goal, taking advantage of the space between the United defense and their high-pressing assault.
United are making every game a thrilling and open affair, in contrast to the top clubs (for example, Manchester City and Arsenal) who win by limiting the opponent to their own half or even their penalty area. It gives the other team too much motivation, even at Burnley’s level.
This week, the Clarets’ coaching staff boasted about their two season-long victories against United in closed-door situations, expressing confidence in their ability to challenge Ten Hag’s squad. Kompany and Vincent were correct.
It seems like United would win this time when Antony scored (thanks to a mistake by Sander Berge), but when you roll the dice, you have to be ready for anything. Only Ten Hag could legitimately claim that this wasn’t an equitable outcome, thanks to Andre Onana’s gaffe.
It had been five games in a row when United had scored twice and let in two goals, creating an entertaining and needlessly stressful level of drama for a talented squad.
It was more a matter of chance than judgment, but that run may have ended against Burnley. It would have been easy for either side to score twice in the first half alone.
Bruno Fernandes rattled the post, while United’s Antony and Alejandro Garnacho missed excellent opportunities.
Lyle Foster and David Fofana would have both believed they deserved to score at the Stretford End. Thanks to some outstanding goalkeeping by Andre Onana and some sloppy finishing, the game remained scoreless at halftime.
Once the half ended, the game continued as before. Burnley had opportunities on the counter, often establishing three-on-three breakouts, but they lacked the finishing touch to really put the pressure on.
Garnacho gave United a better outlet, and Arijanet Muric made a fantastic stop, but United’s danger wasn’t constant, and Garnacho’s fling to the ground in the penalty area with fifteen minutes remaining was an indication that they were out of ideas.
The opportunity finally presented itself, and Antony made good use of it. Burnley had a chance to win the game, but United have wasted opportunities all season. The boos at full-time indicate that the fans are eager to get off the rollercoaster ride, which was another one.
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