Erik ten Hag has managed his 75th Premier League game for Manchester United.
The penultimate game of the 2023/24 league season was Erik ten Hag’s last of the campaign at Old Trafford. If fortunes take a turn for the worse, it could be his last.
This match had a striking similarity in his team selection to his first Premier League game, Erik ten Hag picked a team without a striker.
In his first home gameagainst Brighton, Ten Hag had to select a team without a striker due to a lack of options.
75 league games in, the Dutchman faced the same problem, relying on a combination of Amad and Bruno Fernandes to fill in up front.
Lack of striker and critical Martial error
Manchester United did have a striker available for the matchday squad against Newcastle, but chose to leave him on the bench.
This came amid a run of just one goal in 10 matches for Rasmus Hojlund, and an acceptance he could do with a rest, looking ahead to the FA Cup Final. He came off the bench and scored what proved to be the winner.
The problem was United had nobody else in his place to start. Anthony Martial was still not fit enough to make the bench. He has not played a game since early December.
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United’s big mistake last season and this season was relying on Anthony Martial to fill one of the two striker spots.
United should really have three strikers available, yet effectively only have one.
It is holding the team back and Erik ten Hag is paying the price for poor squad construction.
He has had four transfer windows as manager and signed only one striker on a permanent deal.
You could have some sympathy for the situation at game one. At game 75, Ten Hag must bear some responsibility.
Ralf Rangnick warned to sign forwards
This was a situation it was easy to see coming. When he arrived at the club as interim manager in late 2022, Ralf Rangnick inherited a team with several forwards – but built on quicksand.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani were into their late 30s. Mason Greenwood was soon removed from selection due to legal reasons, while Rangnick felt Martial was expendable enough to send out on loan.
When Manchester United took on Manchester City at The Etihad in March 2023 with Rangnick in charge, the Austrian had to select a team without a striker, because he had none available.
United lined up with Bruno Fernandes as a ‘false nine’, and were battered by City. Fernandes lined up in a similar role in Ten Hag’s first game against Brighton, and in his 75th league game against Newcastle.
Speaking in the wake of the defeat, Rangnick made clear what Manchester United needed.
He told club media: “It’s obvious that the club needs, I would say, at least, two new strikers who just give this team more quality and more options. I wouldn’t even call it wingers.
“Two strikers and modern striker.”
Obvious to Rangnick, but not to the Manchester United hierarchy, or perhaps Erik ten Hag himself.
The Dutchman’s big error was deciding to give Anthony Martial a chance upon his loan from Sevilla.
United have signed just Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent deal. He has shown real promise, but it hasn’t been enough, United need numbers.
Martial will be released in the summer, and signing another striker is essential. Erik ten Hag will hope it does not come too late for him.