Manchester United in tatters: Where has it gone wrong for Erik ten Hag's men?

Manchester United have had a terrible season and it only got worse on Monday evening at Selhurst Park. The 20-time English champions were thrashed 4-0 by Crystal Palace and it could have been more. Once the giants of English football, Manchester United are staring at their lowest finish in the Premier League era and another season without European football.

Manchester United’s lowest finish in the Premier League era — which they have long dominated, winning 13 titles — was seventh under David Moyes in 2013-14.

Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise made a multiple Champions League winner Casemiro look silly in the 13th minute before striding forward, unchallenged, to score the opener. Jean-Philippe Mateta doubled the lead five minutes before the break when Jonny Evans, 36, was exposed. Tyrick Mitchell scored a third after 58 minutes before Olise bagged a brace with a stunning goal eight minutes later.

Champions League was out of bounds early on and now even a third-tier Europa Conference League berth looks out of reach for the eighth placed club.

On current form, the only way United can play European football next season is if they beat Manchester City in this month’s FA Cup final and secure a place in the Europa League. But given how things are going, there is little chance of that happening.

Manchester United have now conceded 81 goals this season across all competitions - their most since 1976/77. They’ve been beaten on all their trips to London this league season. So much so, Man Utd have conceded more goals in the city this year than London-based Arsenal - who are their opponents on Sunday.

A record of 13 league defeats is the most Manchester United have suffered in a single league campaign. In all competitions that number climbs to 18, including four in six games during a Champions League group stage exit.

According to stats company Opta, Man United have spent more time in a losing position in league games this season than a winning one.

What has gone wrong at Erik ten Hag-managed Manchester United?

Injuries

With Injuries, is this Manchester United squad worse than these teams from a 'personnel' standpoint? pic.twitter.com/vywmHvuAPG

— Ronaldo Brown (@ronaldobrown_98) May 7, 2024

United’s bench on Monday evening at Crystal Palace included six teenagers and two goalkeepers, such is the level of the injury crisis at the club.

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes missed his first match through injury in a 520-game club career.

At the back, Evans and Casemiro became United’s 14th centre-back pairing of the Premier League season. Evans only returned to training last week after recovering from a muscle injury. Casemiro dropped back from his usual midfield position.

First choice central defender Harry Maguire sustained a muscle injury in training and is expected to be out for the remainder of the league campaign.

Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford have all been out for long periods.

Yet, Ten Hag accepted there was no excuse for the abject performance against Palace. “The players who were available should do better. It’s a deserved defeat,” he said.

Ten Hag’s tactics gone wrong

Manchester United fans, watch this clip and tell me why you won't agree with Jamie Carragher

And pls don't bring the "he never won the EPL gimmick" pic.twitter.com/xZROWtLrNm

— Rivon (fan) (@rivondave) May 7, 2024

Last season Ten Hag’s men kept 18 clean sheets, way ahead of any other team. Only treble-winning Manchester City and Newcastle United conceded fewer goals. This season they’ve been dismal in back and attack.

Openness of the team with goals being shipped in at alarming rate has had an impact on the attacking intent. They’ve scored just 52 goals which is the joint lowest in the top half of the standings, level with 10th-place Bournemouth. Luton, who are in the relegation zone, have scored 49.

In the end, United are too open in midfield, fragile in defense and not potent enough in attack. The onus to find a solution falls on Ten Hag.

Poor transfers

Michael Owen launches into a total evisceration of Manchester United and it's an all-timer 😳

On Erik ten Hag. Their upcoming fixtures. What happens next. It's must listen.

Watch 📲 https://t.co/WSfBRMyET1 pic.twitter.com/JYDgA2Utq2

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) May 6, 2024

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United have splashed the cash, spending billions, but have not had the right impact.

Dutchman Ten Hag can’t be held responsible for the deals before him, but there are question marks over the players signed under his watch.

The £86 million spent on Antony, making him the club’s second most expensive signing, has not provided the sort of return fans or manager would have expected. The Brazil winger has struggled to adapt to the English top division since his move from Ajax.

Casemiro appears to be past his best at 32 and a shadow of the player who dominated midfield for Real Madrid.

Mason Mount and Lisandro Martinez have both been injury prone, while goalkeeper Andre Onana has made multiple costly blunders.

After two summer transfer windows, Ten Hag’s signings haven’t been able to lift the level of the squad significantly.

Ownership saga

For much of the season, the saga surrounding new Manchester United owners dragged on before new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority investment in the club .

For much of his time at the club, Ten Hag has faced uncertainty over who his ultimate boss is with the Glazer family considering offers to sell the club and British billionaire Ratcliffe competing with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani over a buyout.

In what was anticipated to be a deal that could be finalised before the season started, carried into the second half of the campaign. Ratcliffe, a Manchester United fan, only secured his 27.7% minority stake and assumed control of operations in February.

The changes at the boardroom level have been swift since. A new chief executive and technical director has been hired. Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is sought after as sporting director, while former football director John Murtough, who worked closely with Ten Hag, has departed.

New technical director Jason Wilcox has seen his new club win only once since being appointed - against the now relegated Sheffield United. That, too, came after twice going behind.

In all, there has been a lot of upheaval behind the scenes, which has coincided with the team’s slump on the field.