Ten Hag may have to take goalie gamble

OVER the next week or so we might find out just how much of a gambler Erik ten Hag is and just how quickly he wants to imprint his own philosophy on this United squad.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

There's no doubt the 53-year-old had to compromise last season. This isn't yet his squad and there are square pieces being shoved into round holes when it comes to how the Dutchman wants to play the game.

That is most clearly the case in goal. It took 180 minutes of football for Ten Hag to realise David de Gea didn’t have the skillset he needed with his feet to fulfil the role he wanted from his goalkeeper.

Rather than playing out from the back, building attacks methodically and playing through the press, De Gea started to go longer more often, reducing the risk of a repeat of the soft goal conceded in the 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August.

It only ever reduced the risk, however. There were still times when De Gea went short and mistakes continued to be made with his distribution. It cost United again in Seville in the Europa League.

When those mistakes started to be paired with some softer concessions such as at West Ham and in the FA Cup final, Ten Hag’s doubts began to grow. Now, it really is decision time.