The management team of Ineos at Manchester United will certainly indicate over the course of this weekend their fondness, or lack thereof, for Malcolm Tucker. The ‘government spin’ mastermind from The Thick of It, who, 15 years prior, assured a fledgling minister of not getting fired merely a week into her tenure.
“They wouldn’t let you go after one week”, Tucker cajoled Nicola Murray in the privacy of her ministerial vehicle. “If you’re dismissed after a year, you’re the failure. However, if you’re dismissed after a week, he’s the failure.”
Erik Ten Hag got an extended contract from Ineos during the summer season. In footballing perspective, if they decide to remove him at this point, it would mark similar territory to the ‘sacked-in-a-week’ scene. Even if United falls face-first against Aston Villa over this weekend, it could still save Erik’s position. Time will tell.
Erik’s team, United, has kicked off the season in a manner that is far from what was required. Merely two victories from six Premier League matches, coupled with consecutive draws against Twente and Porto in European games. A muddled defence, non-existent threat in the offence – an utter disarray that magnifies the chaos in other teams.
Erik’s Manchester United bears a striking resemblance to Liverpool during its slump years – except United’s condition appears graver.
Van Gaal’s 103 games and the 51 games under David Moyes’ tenure are far mismatched to Erik’s 125 games in charge. He stands just 20 games behind Jose Mourinho’s term of 144 games. If Ten Hag continues throughout this season with a few more mediocre cup runs, he could even surpass the 168 games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s belt.
In his third season, Erik has revamped the playing squad to an extent that 12 out of 16 players dispatched against Tottenham the previous Sunday debuted under his charge. Approximately £600 million (€718 million) has been exhausted on 13 players, with an additional eight players joining either on loan or for free.
Currently, they stand at the 13th spot in the Premier League after just six matches, wedged between colossal teams like Braga and Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League. Despite having access to enough time and resources, the outcomes are far from satisfying.
It’s quite intriguing to note the similarities between their current situation and Liverpool’s long-gone, stagnant years. This is essentially history repeating itself. Both teams held such a dominant position in English football previously that it was near impossible to think they would ever fade to the background. However, Liverpool first experienced this downfall, followed by United now.
In the month of May 1991, 17 out of the last 18 seasons saw Liverpool placing either second or first in the league. Similarly, as of May 2013, United had secured either the first or the second position in a total of 19 out of the past 22 seasons. Their superiority was not only about the numbers of titles they had won, but also that they were always the team to watch out for. They had defined the tone of every English league season for two decades each.
Then, all at once, they plunged into obscurity. A major shakeup at Liverpool occurred following Kenny Dalglish’s departure in 91′ and as a result, they ranked sixth, sixth, eighth, and fourth in the subsequent four full seasons. Manchester United experienced a similar trajectory post-Alex Ferguson, with placements such as seventh, fourth, fifth, and sixth in the four seasons following his departure. Neither of the clubs had a gradual downfall – they went from ruling the football world to becoming just another team in the fray in no time.
It hasn’t been long since Liverpool’s downturn, a time vividly remembered by many United fans as a joyous era. They recall the early woes under Souness, the humorous era of Evans/Houllier, the significant statements made by Rafa, the endearing clumsiness of Roy Hodgson, King Kenny’s bout of nostalgia, and Brendan Rodgers’ unsuccessful reformation efforts. For United fans, this period was filled with joyful Schadenfreude.
However, karma took its course. The rapid rejuvenation of United’s fortunes has been a spectacular delight for onlookers. The difficult times began under Moyes and extended to Van Gaal’s arrogant failings, Mourinho’s self-indulgence, Solskjaer’s nostalgic journey, and the rather perplexing chapter of R Rangnick, the purpose of which remains uncertain to most.
Now, Ten Hag takes the helm, his determination evident in his jaw’s steely set, his team struggling to find its rhythm. Their defensive efforts in their recent European games have been lamentable, with only two clean sheets and an outrageous rate of conceding two goals. It adds to the insult that most of these matches weren’t even in the Champions League, but in the lower-ranking Europa League against weaker teams.
Strangely enough, there are several notable parallels with Liverpool. This is United’s 13th season post-Ferguson’s exit, and their loot during this period includes two FA Cups, two League Cups, and a Europa League title. Liverpool achieved the same during their transitional phase post-1991, albeit the then-called Uefa Cup.
Nonetheless, even this comparison seems too generous to United’s current form. The Liverpool side of that era recently made a three-in-one season trophy haul and featured the then Ballon D’Or winner, Michael Owen. They were competitive title contenders up until the springs of 2001 and 2002; they continued their success in FA and League cups and were nearing a Champions League triumph.
In terms of gathering local trophies, that’s the only parallel between the situation at Ten Hag’s United and the scenario depicted in the image. They are without a doubt, far from being in contention for a league title, judging by all rational measures. Since 2008, they haven’t even had a nominee for the prestigious Ballon D’Or. Their odds of making a significant impact in the Champions League seem rather slim, especially as they struggle to achieve a victory against teams like Porto or Twente.
In comparison, their current state is even more precarious than Liverpool’s condition at the same point in time. Despite this, Liverpool had to wait over fifteen years to celebrate another league championship. Therefore, regardless of Ten Hag’s tenure duration, the future seems rather bleak for United, with a difficult journey ahead.