Penalties papering over the cracks – Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United on course to concede most goals in over 30 years

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73 goals conceded 

As Rasmus Højlund fired in the winning penalty to send Manchester United to the FA Cup final, the usual scenes of jubilation were not on show. Instead an air of embarrassment seemed to surface around Wembley stadium. Whilst Antony cupped his ears to the Coventry players who had given so much, Harry Maguire went straight over to console his opponents. Many other Man United players stood around not really knowing what to do. It was more relief than celebration.

Man United had been cruising in the game. With a 3-0 lead after 70 minutes against a Championship opponent, nobody could have predicted the capitulation that followed. But a resilient Coventry scored three goals in the final quarter of the game to take it to extra-time. The South Midlands clubs were then denied a winner in the 121st minute by the narrowest of offsides. For Erik ten Hag’s team, it’s now three domestic cup finals from four, but if anything it felt like Sunday’s Wembley victory harmed the Dutchman’s reputation more than it enhanced it. Goals are flying in against Man Utd at an alarming rate, and the club could be set to break some seriously unwanted defensive records this season.

Despite making the FA Cup final, this season has largely been one to forget for Man United. They have suffered the most defeats they ever have in the Premier League, and have lacked consistency throughout the campaign. A primary reason for their poor form lies at the door of their defensive vulnerability. Whilst creativity and scoring goals has also been an issue, the Red Devils almost always look weak at the back and allow their opposition to have chances.

In recent weeks stats emerged of the worrying number of shots Man United have allowed on their goal this calendar year. Although, perhaps even more unnervingly, their stats for conceding goals also doesn’t make for pretty reading from a Man United perspective. The club is on course to concede the most goals in all competitions in the entire Premier League era since 1992. That’s over 30 years. After Coventry’s treble, the Red Devils have now conceded 73 goals in all competitions. As can be seen below, the only season in which they conceded more since 1992, was the 2018/19 season where Man United conceded 78. In that season, the club got to semi-finals of the EFL Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League.

It doesn’t get much easier either. Ten Hag’s team still have to play Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League, as well as a return to Wembley to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final, in a repeat of last season’s Manchester derby showdown. This campaign is more than likely to end up breaking their record for the worst defensive season for a Man United team in the last 30 seasons. Another unwanted record for manager ten Hag. Some solace can be taken from the fact they have reached an impressive three domestic cup finals out of a possible four under the Dutchman. It has also been a season for blooding youth, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho flourishing in the first team. It should also be noted that ten Hag has to deal with an unprecedented number of injuries across the back line.

However, ultimately with their current performance metrics, it would take a miracle to beat the all conquering Man City in the final. It’s also virtually impossible for the club to qualify for the top four and regain Champions League football next season, with Man United currently 16 points adrift of fourth placed Aston Villa. Rarely has victory in a big game led to such scrutiny, but it seems as though, despite the win, the chances of ten Hag staying on as manager under the new ownership next season is dwindling with each wretched performance his team continues to display. 

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