Following West Ham’s remarkable victory over Manchester United, Paul Scholes voiced his criticism toward Erik ten Hag, labeling his approach as “naive” in away matches, and highlighting persistent shortcomings against formidable opponents.
United’s woes in away fixtures under Ten Hag’s tenure have been glaring, with recent defeats against West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Newcastle casting doubt on the team’s tactical setup. Scholes specifically questioned the decision to deploy just one holding midfielder in away fixtures against top-tier adversaries.
The surprising inclusion of 19-year-old defender Willy Kambwala in the starting lineup for the West Ham encounter only served to amplify existing doubts about Ten Hag’s selection strategies.
The defeat adds to the mounting pressure on Ten Hag, who now finds himself under increased scrutiny, especially in light of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential acquisition of a twenty-five percent stake in the club.
With the January transfer window looming, Ten Hag’s capacity to adapt his tactics and address the team’s struggles in away matches will be pivotal for United’s prospects of success. The spotlight is firmly on the Dutch manager as he navigates through this challenging period.
