Andy Dunn’s Man Utd Q&A – Five key questions for Erik ten Hag amid growing Old Trafford crisis

MANCHESTER UNITED Q&A: Our Chief Sports Writer Andy Dunn addresses YOUR questions about the developing difficulties at Manchester United ahead of their Europa League match against Porto.

From my social media postbag, there are five critical questions about the never-ending Manchester United situation that need to be answered.

United enter Thursday evening’s Europa League showdown with Porto after a humiliating defeat at home to Tottenham the previous time out, with many predicting that more unsatisfactory performances in Portugal and against Aston Villa this weekend will signal the end for the beleaguered Dutch manager.

With United wallowing in the Premier League’s bottom half and a long distance from clubs they regard to be traditional rivals, everyone at Old Trafford has pressing questions to answer. These are the key ones.Is Erik ten Hag truly motivating the players?

Sir Alex Ferguson was known for his ability to ignite his players’ passion and drive. Think of Roy Keane guiding his squad into the tunnel at Highbury in 2005.

There were several nice moments before the Spurs defeat, such as Alejandro Garnacho carrying his young son Enzo onto the pitch. It was heartwarming stuff. That type of action is not uncommon, demonstrating a club’s compassionate side. It was memorable for Garnacho and his buddy.But, without being an old-school relic, you can’t help but question whether it would have happened under Keane and Ferguson’s leadership. As it turned out, Garnacho was one of the few United players that gave their all on the pitch against Spurs. He gave his all. The same cannot be true for many of his teammates. Many of them have horrible body language.

Is Bruno Fernandes the right choice to lead Manchester United?

Yes. Harry Maguire performed admirably as captain of United and led the squad with distinction, but when Erik ten Hag decided the England centre-back would not be an automatic starter, he had to replace him.

For what it’s worth, I believe Maguire should still be the number one choice, although Ten Hag plainly does not. Fernandes may yet become a distinguished United captain if he directs his rage and passion into motivating his teammates.

The Portuguese midfielder should have the maturity, experience, and know-how to motivate his teammates when things become difficult.What exactly is wrong with Marcus Rashford?

Erik ten Hag’s patience with Rashford paid off, as he scored three goals in two games, including two in a romp against Barnsley. But Rashford’s troubles have continued in the last three games, and his statistics since signing a new £300,000-a-week five-year contract in the summer of 2023 are concerning.

In his last 39 Premier League games, he has only scored eight goals and made three assists.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who formerly coached England attackers under Gareth Southgate, reportedly stated that Rashford appeared to be a guy for whom football was not the’main preoccupation’. Rashford needs a boost in form, and a lengthy absence from the team would provide it. It is time for Ten Hag to be stern with him.How is it that players with strong reputations join United just to have their form plummet?

Despite being bought for £42 million from Paris St Germain, Manuel Ugarte’s dismal performance in Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham was concerning. Let’s wait and see with Ugarte, but the main fact is that recruiting in recent years has been abysmal.

There is always a reason why blue-chip teams don’t put up much of a fight when some well-known players want to go.

You can’t help but ask if United’s recruitment department has done enough character checks while investing huge money in previous years. At the very least, the new INEOS football department should address this issue.How long should Erik ten Hag be allowed, and if he leaves, who should take over?‌

According to Opta Analyst, managers who have left a Premier League club since 2014/15 (excluding incumbent managers, caretakers/interims, and Jurgen Klopp) have served for an average of 630 days. Ten Hag had been in charge of United for 825 days before the game in Porto.

The Dutchman has already been granted more time than most. And, while it is facile to claim that Ten Hag’s Premier League defeats to Porto and Aston Villa on Sunday would spell the end of his career, there is no other option.

If he avoids two defeats and his squad displays great enthusiasm and performs well, he will stay. If he is removed, there will be more viable prospects for succession than you realize. Manchester United is still one of the most sought roles in club management.

But in his eight years with England, Gareth Southgate has developed into a superb motivator of players and an outstanding leader. He would be a terrific fit for Old Trafford’s new upstairs management.