Manchester United head to Villa Park on Sunday to renew hostilities with Aston Villa amid the gravest crisis in the club’s recent history.
Until not long ago, under-pressure Everton boss Sean Dyche was the bookies’ favourite to become the first Premier League manager to be relieved of his duties in 2024/25.
However, you don’t need a beginner’s guide to betting on football to realise how Erik ten Hag leapfrogged his Toffees counterpart on that unwanted list after another derby fiasco last weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur emerged as the latest team to humble the Red Devils at Old Trafford this term, replicating Liverpool’s 3-0 victory on a rainy Sunday late afternoon.
Bruno Fernandes’ unjust expulsion towards the end of the worst half was perhaps the only mitigating circumstance, but it was by no means a justification for another dreadful showing.
Joe McGrath discussed United’s latest embarrassment on BBC Radio Manchester’s The Devils’ Advocate podcast, calling it ‘the worst Manchester United performance I’ve seen in my lifetime.’
As the pressure mounts on Ten Hag after another humiliating result, the 20-time Premier League champions face a daunting-looking trip to the Midlands.
Villa in pole position to pour more misery on Ten Hag
Last season’s fourth-place finish was no fluke, as Villa have firmly proved in the early stage of the new campaign.
Despite a frustrating 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Ipswich Town last weekend, Villa enter this round in fifth, only two points adrift of table-topping Liverpool.
Unai Emery’s side have racked up four wins in their opening six league matches (D1, L1), including back-to-back high-scoring home triumphs against Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Villa showcased their unparalleled fighting spirits on both occasions, bouncing back from a half-time deficit to take three points in each game by netting precisely three goals.
Flaws United must exploit
The Birmingham outfit’s superb scoring ratio of two goals per game is a genuine threat to Man United’s porous backline.
However, Emery’s charges aren’t immune to defensive slip-ups themselves.
After six matchdays, they’re one of seven sides yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
While it’s no shame to concede twice against Arsenal, allowing teams such as Ipswich and Wolves to score multiple goals raises concerns about their defensive solidity.
That’s where Ten Hag’s lacklustre frontlines must seek their chances.
United bagged two goals in a 2-1 win in this corresponding fixture last term, and replicating that success could be the Dutcman’s only chance to save his skin.
It’s now or never
Pundits and fans are quickly rallying against Ten Hag.
Chris Sutton was adamant in his recent interview with BBC, insisting Man United can forget about their plan to conquer the Premier League in 2028 with the ex-Ajax manager at the helm.
Such harsh criticism isn’t unfounded, considering the 54-year-old has given his doubters plenty of material through inconsistent performances, tactical missteps and a lack of cohesion within the squad.
The only way he can respond is to start winning again.
The Red Devils come into this round stranded in mid-table after picking up two wins in the first six rounds (W2, D1, L3).
Unless the barren run ends at Villa Park, Ten Hag’s position at the club could come under even more intense scrutiny.
Verdict
Despite their flaws and disheartening performances, this Man United squad deserves better than to languish in mid-table lethargy.
But it’s up to Ten Hag to unlock his team’s potential, and he cannot afford to waste any more time or opportunities.
Villa have become a team to fear, yet Villa Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils for as far back as memory serves.
Except for a 3-1 defeat in November 2022, United haven’t lost a league encounter at this venue in the 21st century.
Ten Hag must leverage that psychological advantage and take three points at all costs if he’s to silence the sceptics.
