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Despite creating some huge chances, profligacy from the Manchester United stars meant they suffered a disastrous 1-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United in London on Sunday.
The visitors should have been ahead within two minutes when Alejandro Garnacho struck the frame of the goal from inside the box. He then shot wide from a one-on-one with the Hammers keeper before Bruno Fernandes headed over from close range.
But the most incredible miss came from Diogo Dalot, who after rounding the keeper had the whole of the goal at his mercy. He blazed the ball wide of the goal with fans stunned with what they had just seen.
And that miss seemed to take the air out of United’s balloon as they began to sit deeper and deeper, inviting the hosts back into the game. And eventually they took the lead in the second half through Crysencio Summerville.
United lose to West Ham
And despite Casemiro’s equaliser, it was the Hammers who took home all three points after a debatable refereeing decision awarded them a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen dispatched.
That the result came against an out-of-form West Ham will hurt the fans even more.
The players are struggling with the pressure as seen from the number of big chances they have fluffed this season. And it is mainly due to the manager.
That is not to say that the players are devoid of blame as quite of few of these players have let multiple managers down in the past but they should definitely be far more competitive and higher up the table.
Erik ten Hag has broken record after record in terms of bad results for the club with the Red Devils currently 14th in the table, just seven points off the relegation zone.
When will INEOS act?
They have failed to win 10 of their 14 games in all competitions this season, with their European form also plummeting.
How can all this be acceptable? Ten Hag can point to the number of chances created and the unjust referring and even injuries, but the mighty Manchester United surely do not belong in 14th position.
INEOS have been dilly-dallying due to the quality of replacements on offer and the prospect of paying a substantial compensation but every game they are delaying the inevitable, the further back in the race United are heading.
Champions League football remains a dream but at this rate, the Conference League looks beyond reach. Can the new co-owners afford a season without European football altogether?
Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images