Ten Hag faces criticism as Manchester United battles to stay in the Champions League
Before Bayern Munich visits Old Trafford this season, Manchester United's fate in the Champions League hangs in the balance. An early European departure will undoubtedly increase pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
Following United's victory over Chelsea last week, the Dutchman attempted to argue that the team's season had not yet entered crisis mode.
Ten Hag's optimism that a turning point had been reached, however, was short-lived as a difficult campaign hit a new low on Saturday with a 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth.
After suffering seven losses in their first 16 games, the Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League. Although they still have time to get back into the top four domestically, they desperately need to win the Champions League.
United's only hope of making it to the round of 16 is if they defeat the German champions on Tuesday; even then, they will need to draw their final Group A encounter against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
After earning just four points from their first five games, United is lucky to even be in the running for the playoffs. In their five Champions League group stage matches, Ten Hag's team has given up 14 goals, more than any other English team in history.
The high-scoring shootouts that United has experienced in Europe stand in stark contrast to their struggles to score goals in the Premier League.
"We truly lack consistency. Ten Hag stated, "We have the ability to do it, but you have to do it every game and every third day," following Bournemouth's spectacular celebration of their historic first-ever victory at Old Trafford.
"I believe that we need to work together as a team to improve our consistency as a squad because we are not good enough."
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