Man United throw away two goal lead vs Porto, as pressure ignites on Erik ten Hag

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13 goals conceded this season 

Following Manchester United’s shocking 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, which former captain Gary Neville labelled as “disgusting”, the pressure was vamped up on Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag. Man United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, and reports emerged suggesting that the Dutchman may have the away games at Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the English top-flight to save his job before the international break. United raced into a two goal lead in Portugal and signs of a resurgence were teased. However, yet again this Man United’s team’s tendency to ship goals returned, as they threw away their lead to ultimately draw 3-3 at the Estádio do Dragão.

It was far too easy for Porto to cut straight through Man United, and it’s become a theme under ten Hag. It could ultimately lead to the club replacing him soon. The Red Devils are still without a win in their opening two Europa League ‘league phase’ matches, and just six games into the Premier League season, already the top four looks a tough ask. Man United spent €214.5m on new acquisitions this summer – only Chelsea (€238.5m) and Brighton (€231.2m) spent more. Since ten Hag arrived at the club, they have spent a grand total of €660.08m – the second most in the world behind Chelsea. Yet there is little sign of improvement, instead regression actually seems more prominent.

Since the start of last season, Man United have conceded three or more goals in as many as 24 games. More often than any other Premier League team. Embarrassing nights for the United faithful have become all too normal. As you can see in the graphic below, if we compare Man United’s defensive record to the other traditional ‘Big six’ teams in the Premier League, it already provides bleak reading for the Man United contingent. They have conceded 1.44 goals per game, with their only clean sheets coming against Southampton, Crystal Palace (both of whom are in the relegation zone) and League One Barnsley.

Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off for the second game running, but it could be his manager who is sent packing next. Ten Hag needed a big night in Portugal to quieten the noise. Instead it’s now deafening. Another unconvincing defeat at the in-form Aston Villa this weekend is more than likely to be the last nail in the Dutchman’s coffin. He will without doubt lean on his two domestic trophies won in his first two seasons, which is of course a fantastic achievement, but surely isn’t enough to defend his team’s consistently poor performances.