2 years ago
After hiring Erik ten Hag, Manchester United hoped for a turnaround, but the new manager oversaw a home loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in his first league game.
According to former Liverpool player Steve Nicol, the situation at Manchester United is so bad that even Pep Guardiola couldn't turn things around.
With some outstanding preseason results under his management, Erik ten Hag has improved the team's spirits. The scale of the new manager's task has, however, become apparent following a loss at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on the first weekend of the Premier League season.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United has gone through four permanent managers and multiple temporary appointments. Ten Hag is the fifth person to attempt to restore the club to its former glory, but Nicol has said that even Guardiola, a multiple Premier League champion, wouldn't be able to solve what's wrong.
According to Nicol, adding superior players is the only way to address the situation. "It turns into the proverbial saying regarding the coach and the players.
"There is no doubt that the current Manchester United team and player group proves it doesn't matter who the coach is. If you have players who can't compete at the level the club should,It will not take place.
"You can talk until you're blue in the face and stay on the practice field from nine in the morning to nine at night, but if the players are not good enough, if they can't absorb it, if they can't deliver it, at some point you have to get players out the door and bring in players who can do it," said the coach.
In his debut Premier League match, Erik ten Hag experienced defeat.
As Nicol explained, "what it's telling you is whoever has been bringing these players through the door, they don't know what they are doing."Manchester United would still be losing even if you moved Erik ten Hag to Manchester City and brought Pep Guardiola to Manchester United."
United lost against Brighton, marking their fifth loss in their past seven games in the top tier and their third straight league loss dating back to last season. Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia, two recent additions to the team, started the game as starters, although United is expected to make other additions to their roster.
Adrien Rabiot, who might be available from Juventus for £15 million, is one of the names mentioned.
Adrien Rabiot, who might be available from Juventus for £15 million, is one of the names mentioned. Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis, a midfielder, may perhaps replace the French international for a comparable amount, according to recent sources.
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