'That is the problem' – Gary Lineker slams Manchester United for key issue under Erik ten Hag
10/07/2024 04:16 AM
Gary Lineker believes uncertainty over the right style of player for Erik ten Hag is one of Manchester United’s biggest issues.
The Premier League giants extended their winless run to five in all competitions on Sunday with a drab 0-0 draw away at Aston Villa.
United, who have made their worst ever Premier League start, sit 14th in the table on just eight points from seven matches and without a goal in the league since September 14.
Much of their recruitment under Ten Hag has seen him reunite with former players of his at Ajax including Matthijs de Ligt, Antony and Andre Onana.
However, many have struggled to make an impact since signing and legendary striker Lineker has hinted finding the right player profile for Ten Hag is a challenge.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I think it's very difficult to buy a player for Erik ten Hag because he plays a different system all the time. Sometimes they're counter-attacking, sometimes they'll play a little bit of a high press, sometimes they won't.
“We've said it many times on here, ‘What is their style of football? What is their identity?’ I don't think you have that.
“Now if you were buying for, let's say, Ange Postecoglou [Tottenham boss] or Brighton who do really well, or Brentford or someone like that, those kind of clubs… Or Manchester City…
“They have a way of playing that very rarely varies, they don't go from being a counter-attacking team for three weeks and then being a team on the front foot for three weeks.
“But you tell me, what is Erik ten Hag's type of player? Can you answer that? I can't. So I think primarily that is the problem. And I think that's been the case for some time, and previous managers.
“We know they've had problems at the top of the club and that filters down, and all that sort of stuff, and it does, and it's been difficult for any manager,
“But I think it's exacerbated at the moment by the lack of a style and the lack of identity of the actual playing side of things.
“Therefore they just seem to buy ad hoc. You know, ‘I had him at Ajax and he was really good there,’ I'm sure he was! Any of those players that he's bought from there. But where do they fit in?
“Someone like [Rasmus] Hojlund, yeah that was obvious, he’s a striker, you’ve got to have a striker. But in other positions, in other areas, if you play a slightly different system every week, how do you know what you’re buying for? So I think that’s probably what’s happened.”
United appeared to be generating a run of form after the September international break with a 3-0 league win at Southampton and a 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
However, respective league and Europa League draws to Crystal Palace and FC Twente followed before a 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
They then led Porto 2-0 during the week but had to settle for a 3-3 draw thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Harry Maguire.
Whilst a 0-0 draw at Villa can be eyed as a solid result on paper, a continued lack of goals in the Premier League will be a concern and add more pressure on Ten Hag amid speculation over his future.
United return to action after the international break at home to Brentford before a tough Europa League test against Fenerbahce, who are managed by former boss Jose Mourinho.
