Manchester United owner Sir Jimcliffe has voiced his dissatisfaction with Erik Ten Hag for letting go of a remarkable goal-scorer who departed Man united for free and has since surpassed even Hujlund in goal-scoring prowess, tallying 15 goals and assists in just seven games
Manchester United’s owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has expressed his frustration with Erik ten Hag over the decision to let a talented goal-scorer leave the club on a free transfer. Since leaving, this player has outperformed United’s new signing, Rasmus Hojlund, with an impressive tally of 15 goals and assists in just seven matches.
Ten Hag’s management choices at Manchester United have been increasingly questioned, especially as the team continues to deliver inconsistent performances. Despite Ten Hag’s confidence that winning two trophies compensates for their lackluster league form, the evidence suggests otherwise. While the club’s structure seems more organized from the top down, giving Ten Hag another season following their FA Cup victory has not resulted in the significant progress many fans had hoped for.
Over the summer, United made several promising signings, including Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, Yoro’s injury, which will keep him sidelined for several months, casts doubt on his prospects of playing under Ten Hag this season. Adding to their woes, United has struggled in their early matches, securing only three points from their first three games. Meanwhile, Manchester City is charging ahead in the league, drawing comparisons to sprinter Noah Lyles, and is already seen as a strong contender for another Premier League title.
City’s continued success can be largely attributed to Pep Guardiola’s tactical brilliance, bolstered by having an extraordinary striker like Erling Haaland. Haaland’s goal-scoring feats have been nothing short of sensational, with two hat-tricks in the first three weeks of the season, giving him seven goals already. Since joining City, Haaland has scored an astonishing 97 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions, winning two Golden Boots in the process. He is widely regarded as the best striker in the world, with his dominance in front of the goal going unmatched.
United tried to emulate City’s strategy by signing Rasmus Hojlund, another Scandinavian forward. However, Hojlund’s 16 goals in the 2023/24 season, while commendable, pale in comparison to Haaland’s exceptional numbers.
Stopping Haaland seems nearly impossible, as his physicality and natural goal-scoring ability make him a constant threat. Only an injury, like the one he suffered last season, appears capable of slowing him down. Unfortunately for United, they are unlikely to be the team to end Haaland’s dominance this season. Even Arsenal, who are City’s closest competitors, might struggle to keep pace with Guardiola’s side.
United could certainly benefit from having a player like a prime Wayne Rooney or a determined Cristiano Ronaldo to counter Haaland’s impact. Looking back, Ten Hag’s increasing frustration with Ronaldo’s presence in November 2022 played a significant role in the star’s departure. Ronaldo’s second stint at Old Trafford was marred by off-field controversies, and his exit was viewed as essential for restoring team harmony.
However, with hindsight, United might be questioning if letting Ronaldo leave was the right move, especially as they continue to seek a player capable of reaching Haaland’s level. The gap between Manchester City and Manchester United seems larger than ever, with City thriving under Guardiola’s leadership while United struggles to find their form under Ten Hag.
