What started as a promise of a new era for Premier League side Manchester United, under the guidance of former Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, has quickly turned into a nightmare two games into the season. United’s dismal 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford was followed up with the recent 4-0 humiliation from Brentford. 

The Dutch manager spoke after the match, saying “The team has to take the responsibility. I feel sorry for the fans”, and added, “I asked them to play with belief and take responsibility, that is what they didn’t do”, as per Sky Sports. 

United have yet to find their footing and a distinctive style of play since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. The club’s been going through coaches like a hot knife through butter, unable to find the right fit. It started with David Moyes taking over from the Scotsman, only to be replaced by Louis Van Gaal, then Jose Mourinho, and former United man Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With ten Hag taking over, there was some hope that United would develop a distinctive playing style, even if nobody expected a quick turnaround for the Reds.

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The past two matches have seemingly dashed those hopes, and the disquiet among fans is palpable in the PL fixtures. 

ten Hag’s response to quelling concerns is to seek better quality players. “New signings? Yes. We need new players and quality players. We will try and convince them to join us”, he said, and took some accountability for the club’s terrible start, saying “Only when we stick together we will overcome it. The manager is the main responsibility and I take that”. 

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United’s performance last season landed them in the sixth position on the PL table, and as a result, the Reds won’t be playing in the Champions League this season, making it harder for them to attract top talent. Existing players like Cristiano Ronaldo have also expressed a desire to leave to participate in Europe’s biggest football competition, playing for a club that’s qualified. 

Despite United’s current condition, the side hasn’t done too poorly in the transfer window. They landed Tyrell Malacia, an exciting prospect from Feyenoord, and Lisandro Martinez, who’s proven himself at Ajax. ten Hag also managed to snake Christian Eriksen away from Brentford, bolstering United’s defence and midfield overall. 

With a lack of results straight off the bat, it remains to be seen if the club loosens purse strings further to let the Dutchman shop around for more talent before the transfer window closes.