Hold or fold: Erik ten Hag’s nine lives with Man Utd on home soil this season

Manchester United have lost 14 games in all competitions this season - with a record nine of them coming at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils end their campaign with an away trip to Brighton, and then the hierarchy must make a decision on the future of Erik ten Hag - do they hold their nerve with the Dutchman, or decide it’s time to fold and go in a different managerial direction.

Here, Noah Ngcobo looks at each defeat and analyses what went wrong for the hosts.

Manchester United 1 – 3 Brighton 

Manchester United's first home defeat came against Brighton, who dominated across multiple facets of the game, highlighting a clear mismatch on the pitch. 

Manager Erik ten Hag found himself outmanoeuvred by Roberto De Zerbi, setting an ominous tone for the remainder of the campaign. 

This loss, described by many fans as disgraceful, compounded the team's woes, resulting in their third defeat in five matches and a plummet to 12th place in the league standings. 

Prior to this match, Ten Hag had already faced scrutiny, but the magnitude of criticism intensified following this lacklustre performance, with both pundits and supporters questioning his tactics, substitutions, and the players' abilities.

Brighton's relentless attack saw them net three goals within the first 70 minutes, leaving Manchester United struggling to even muster a shot on goal.

The lone consolation goal by Hannibal Mejbri failed to salvage any pride as the final scoreline stood at an embarrassing 3-1 defeat on home turf. 

The midfield, in particular, proved to be United's Achilles' heel, with each conceded goal seemingly stemming from their inability to track opposition runners. 

Scott McTominay had only 20 touches on the ball, while every other midfielder on the field had more than 50. This performance by Manchester United exposed many individuals' flaws.

Manchester United 0 – 1 Crystal Palace

In comparison to their last home defeat, this match showcased a marked improvement in team performance. However, despite completing over 700 passes, the team struggled to advance the ball effectively into key areas, resulting in just four shots on target. 

This glaring statistic underscores their difficulty in generating meaningful scoring opportunities. Throughout the game, there was a palpable absence of creative flair, leaving the team appearing uncertain and directionless, particularly in their approach towards goal.

Facing Crystal Palace at home, Manchester United were expected to secure a victory, yet their performance fell short of deserving such an outcome.

The match's fate was effectively sealed within the initial 25 minutes, courtesy of Joachim Anderson's sublime half-volley, which left goalkeeper Andre Onana with little chance of making a save.

Despite dominating possession with 77%, United failed to translate this advantage into tangible results within the final third of the pitch.

Manchester United 2 – 3 Galatasaray 

In Manchester United's first home UEFA Champions League fixture of the season, anticipation was high among both fans and players alike. 

However, the outcome was disappointing, marking the team's second consecutive loss on home turf. 

Despite the Red Devils taking the lead twice during the match, they ultimately failed to secure any points. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring with a spectacular header, his first goal at Old Trafford, but his celebrations were cut short six minutes later by former Manchester United player Wilfred Zaha.

The first half concluded with the scoreboard level, but Hojlund once again found the back of the net early in the second half, only for Kerem Akturkoglu to quickly equalise. 

The team's efforts were further hampered by a late red card for Casemiro, who conceded a penalty in the dying moments of the game. 

The penalty stemmed from a miscommunication between goalkeeper Andre Onana and the defence, resulting in an attempt to rectify the error, albeit unsuccessfully. 

Despite Mauro Icardi's miss from the penalty spot, he redeemed himself just three minutes later with a sublime chip over Onana, sealing the victory for Galatasaray.

Manchester United 0 – 3 Manchester City

In a disappointing display against their bitter rivals Manchester City, Manchester United fell short of honouring the storied history of the Manchester derby. 

With Manchester City boasting 21 shots on goal compared to United's seven, the discrepancy in performance succinctly illustrates the narrative of the match. 

Pep Guardiola's side clearly outplayed United, with Erling Haaland shining with two goals and an assist, earning him the well-deserved Man of the Match accolade. 

This match served as a stark reminder for many fans, prompting a significant portion of the fan base to call for Ten Hag's dismissal.

Manchester United 0 – 3 Newcastle United

In a repeat of last season's Carabao Cup final, Manchester United faced Newcastle United at home. However, this time, it was far from a happy repeat for Manchester United. 

The Red Devils were dismantled by Newcastle, with the precision of a magpie picking apart a carcass. Newcastle's victory was thoroughly deserved, as the Reds' players appeared to lack the drive and determination needed for success. 

This was evident from the outset, with Mason Mount failing to even attempt a tackle, Diogo Dalot neglecting to sprint back, and Andre Onana leaving his back post vulnerable during the first goal. 

The second goal came from a Harry Maguire misdirected header, with Hannibal Mejbri failing to close down Anthony Gordon, allowing him a clear strike at goal. 

The third goal saw Maguire and Victor Lindelof simply backing off, allowing Joe Willock to charge towards the goal unopposed. 

These defensive lapses were indicative of a broader issue within the team, characterized by a lack of ability, concentration, and effort. 

Beyond the goals conceded, the game was marred by numerous misplaced passes, an inability to create chances, and an overall lack of effort from the Manchester United side.

Manchester United 0 - 3 Bournemouth

The Reds' consistent struggle on the field continued to disappoint fans. Their perplexing inconsistency leaves supporters baffled; how can the team deliver a stellar performance against Chelsea, only to falter just three days later against Bournemouth at home? 

The match against Bournemouth was effectively decided in the opening moments, with Dominic Solanke swiftly putting them ahead within five minutes. 

Despite their efforts, the Red Devils failed to generate any meaningful opportunities throughout the game. 

Bournemouth's clinical finishing was evident, scoring three goals from just four shots on target, a stark comparison to United's lacklustre performance, managing as many shots on target as Bournemouth had goals.

Manchester United 0 – 1 Bayern Munich 

Manchester United's hopes in the UEFA Champions League were dashed after a defeat to Bayern Munich, leaving them at the bottom of Group A with a dismal record of four losses, one draw, and one win. 

A victory against Munich could have propelled United above Galatasaray and secured at least a Europa League berth, but the team fell short of achieving even that modest goal. 

The first half unfolded as a closely-contested affair, with United's disciplined defence keeping Bayern at bay, limiting them to sporadic opportunities. Despite this, United remained competitive well into the second half, frustrating Bayern and preventing clear-cut chances. 

However, Bayern eventually found a breakthrough, with Kingsley Coman clinically converting Harry Kane's precise pass. 

With time running out and their fate slipping away, the task became increasingly daunting for Ten Hag's side.

United's failure to maintain their formidable unbeaten home record against German opponents - eight wins and three draws - only added to the disappointment as they exited the European stage without much of a fight.

Manchester United 1 – 2 Fulham 

This loss was not only United's first home loss in 2024, but it was also their first loss in any competition in 2024, home or away. 

This outcome underscored the promising beginning the Red Devils had made to the New Year. Fans entered the match in a positive mood following the club's exceptional form, only to leave with a familiar sense of disappointment.

Despite a streak of five consecutive victories, United reverted to their inconsistent tendencies, failing to meet expectations. 

The game remained evenly poised until Fulham seized the breakthrough in the 65th minute, with Calvin Bassey notching his first goal for the club after capitalising on a fortuitous rebound in the box from an Andreas Pereira corner. 

In the dying moments of normal time, Harry Maguire appeared to salvage a point for United with a late equaliser. 

However, deep into stoppage time, Alex Iwobi was through on goal and calmly dispatched his shot past Onana, securing all three points for Fulham in a dramatic afternoon at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 0 – 1 Arsenal

The result itself was not surprising for United fans but the performance was in a way, as there were glimpses of  improvement on display. 

With 55% possession, the team showcased excellent ball movement, particularly highlighted by standout performances from Sofyan Amrabat, Kobbie Mainoo, and Amad Diallo. However, amidst these positives, glaring issues persist within the squad. 

The absence of key players in crucial positions, including a shortage of left-back options and a depleted central defensive line featuring Casemiro and the 36-year-old Jonny Evans, compounded United's woes. 

Furthermore, the lack of a reliable striker exacerbated their woes, particularly evident when Hojlund was forced off the field. The defeat at home marked only Arsenal's third victory at Old Trafford in 22 years.

Arsenal seized the moment in the 21st minute, exploiting Manchester United's makeshift defence as Ben White capitalised on Casemiro's sluggishness, setting up Kai Havertz to feed Leandro Trossard for a straightforward finish, his fourth goal in five games.

Despite periods of promising play from United, particularly Amad Diallo's bright display in only his third Premier League start, Arsenal maintained control for much of the match.