Ten Hag risks BOTTLING Champions League qualification

Carlo Garganese

• 2 Apr 2023 19:00 BST
• 4 min read

If there was ever any doubt that Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United honeymoon was over, there isn’t anymore.

On Sunday, Man Utd were comprehensively outplayed by Newcastle in a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.

Joseph Willock scored the opener on 65 minutes, nodding in from Allan Saint-Maximin’s header back across the goal. And substitute Callum Wilson made the points safe late on.

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In truth, the scoreline flattered United as Newcastle dominated the game and were denied by a string of brilliant David de Gea saves.

While the result is nothing to be ashamed of, the nature of the performance will concern Man Utd fans as there has been a noticeable drop in standards under Ten Hag in the last few months.

Man Utd's poor form

Indeed, United have now gone three games without a win in the Premier League - failing to score in any of those matches.

That run includes the humiliating 7-0 thrashing by rivals Liverpool at Anfield - the biggest defeat in United’s history.

They also failed to win or score in a goalless draw against bottom of the league Southampton.

In the last nine matches in the Premier League dating back to January 18, United have won three, drawn three and lost three. They have scored just 11 goals and conceded 15.

Their three wins only came against relegation-threatened teams in the form of Crystal Palace, Leeds and Leicester.

Although United have continued to do well in the cups - they won the League Cup, are in the semis of the FA Cup and quarters of Europa League - this league form should be of big concern.

United have now fallen behind Newcastle, who move above them into third place on goal difference.

And the Red Devils are also only a point above fifth placed Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification.

Given United’s declining form, they now face a fight just to qualify for the Champions League next season.

They should be okay. They have a game in hand on Tottenham and a reasonably straight forward run-in as they play none of the other 'big six' bar Spurs.

But if they carry on in this form, then they risk bottling what seemed to be a formality a few games ago.

Failing to qualify would represent a total disaster for Ten Hag.

Much has been said about Ten Hag being United’s best manager in a decade, the first coach since Alex Ferguson to take United back to where they belong.

If United fail to qualify for the Champions League, it will make a mockery of those suggestions.

Some would even argue that it would put Ten Hag’s position in jeopardy. Especially with new owners set to come in and stamp their mark on the club.

The pressure is now well and truly on for Ten Hag.