Premier League Review: The many questions before Ten Hag and Lopetegui

Manchester United struggles under Erik Ten Hag, with defense issues and pressure mounting, while West Ham faces crucial tests under Julien Lopetegui.

Erik Ten Hag and Julien Lopetegui both spent huge money in the summer, does this heap pressure on both managers? (Photo credit: GOAL)

It’s important to pick things up from Manchester United; their first three games show nothing has changed from the past two years of Erik Ten Hag, and, if he’s going to be honest with himself, the talks of being the next best after Pep Guardiola were a joke at best.

Manchester United spent hundreds of GBP to bring in Leny Yoro from Lille as a promising defender for now and for the future. They brought in Mathijs De Ligt and Nassir Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, and you wonder how they have already conceded five goals in three games.

Manuel Ugarte arrived late in the transfer window to provide midfield cover, but with Scott McTominay departing for Napoli, one may question whether the midfield has truly improved. Casemiro had an amazing game against Fulham and undid everything in the following two games; will Ugarte fill the void?

You find yourself torn between believing in Joshua Zirkee and feeling disgusted. He is not a proper number 9, and although he scored a goal on his debut, United fans should not assume that he is the key to many goals for them; they will need other players to contribute.

Erik Ten Hag is a leading contender for the first manager to be sacked this season; the games ahead will determine a lot of things, and if you’re wondering who his replacement would be, look around him; a certain Ruud Van Nistelrooy is sitting close to him on the bench; it will be an easy decision.

Another team to evaluate is West Ham; they have played three, lost two, and won one beautifully, but, with the investment in the squad over the summer, Julien Lopetegui will not be pampered if the team doesn’t hit top gear soon.

You can pardon the opening day loss at home to Aston Villa; the quality of the opposition wasn’t bad, and you might need time to integrate new players and new ideas, but their defending against the champions before the break left too much to be desired.

Their next three league games would shape perceptions about the Spaniard’s reigns, as they’re all against London opponents. They face Fulham right after the break before hosting Chelsea in a huge derby, while a cup game against Liverpool comes after that. Brentford hosts the Hammers at the end of September.

Jarrod Bowen is still the leading light in the squad; they’re yet to get Nicklas Fullkrug up to speed, and Mohammed Kudus is yet to reach the heights of last season. We will scrutinize all his signings after each performance; there will be no hiding place...

 

To be continued