Three things Erik ten Hag must fix at Man Utd ASAP after chaotic 4-3 Bayern loss
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Manchester United fell to a third defeat in a row and a fourth in just six games this season away at Bayern Munich.
What looked an impossible task for United on paper proved to be true after Bayern survived a bright opening by Erik ten Hag’s side to take the lead on the brink of the half hour mark after Andre Onana made a horrific mistake, seeing Leroy Sane’s strike squirm through him.
United then conceded a second just four minutes later after Jamal Musiala’s incredible run saw him surge into the Red Devils’ box before cutting back to Serge Gnabry who turned home to double the host’s lead.
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Ten Hag sent his side out five minutes early from half-time and it paid dividends as Rasmus Hojlund turned in his first United goal just minutes into the second half to give them hope in Bavaria.
But a ludicrous decision from VAR to award a penalty after the ball struck an unknowing Christian Eriksen’s hand from just a yard away saw Harry Kane get his goal and kill the game.
A goal-mad final few minutes saw Casemiro score two consolation goals either side of Mathys Tel's clinching goal, with the game eventually ending 4-3 to the hosts.
Following the latest damaging defeat, Daily Star Sport looks at what Ten Hag needs to address immediately ahead of Saturday night's trip to Burnley in the Premier League.
Midfield balance
Casemiro was exposed horrendously in the 3-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend and the Brazilian was hung out to dry again with Jamal Musiala having a night to remember as he played off the shoulder of the 31-year-old and continuously looked to take him on.
On a night when United knew they’d be truly up against it, especially in midfield with Harry Kane also dropping deeper, Casemiro was often left isolated and the jig was up by the time Scott McTominay was introduced with 20 minutes to go.
Ten Hag must be counting down the days until Sofyan Amrabat is available to help burden Casemiro’s responsibility.
What did you make of Man Utd's performance against Bayern Munich? Let us know in the comments section.
Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen’s role in the United side is so hard to define. The 31-year-old has built his career as a playmaker but seems to now be given an almost box-to-box role which completely lays bare his defensive vulnerabilities which again saw United struggle.
Questions won’t be asked on Eriksen’s role in the farcical penalty decision, but fans will be wondering why the Dane was the closest player to one of Bayern’s most powerful aerial presences in Dayot Upamecano.
Eriksen almost helped United open the scoring just three minutes in as he squared to Facundo Pellistri across the face of goal before a goal-saving challenge from Alphonso Davies cleared the danger. But in a side whose main creator is Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen looked a square peg in a round hole.
Too little too late off the bench
Granted, Ten Hag had a bench including three goalkeepers and three teenagers but the Dutchman failed to introduce Antony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho until the 80th minute when the game had drifted away from United.
Garnacho started both of United’s opening two league games but his introduction came too late from a player who was the go to man off the bench last season. Martial has been poor so far this season and will find it incredibly difficult to win his place back from Hojlund, but even still, he looked bright off the bench and Ten Hag could regret he didn’t bring him on earlier.
- Manchester United FC
- Erik ten Hag
- Champions League
- Premier League
- Bayern Munich FC
- Burnley FC
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