United's vanilla display at Villa may yet save Ten Hag
The Independent|October 07, 2024
Manchester United have rarely found relief in a five-game winless run but, for the second time in four days, there was some respite for the beleaguered Erik ten Hag.
RICHARD JOLLY
United's vanilla display at Villa may yet save Ten Hag

For the first time in a while, too, there was evidence he could construct a game plan and his players could execute it.

If a stalemate was a damage-limitation exercise, it may help spare Ten Hag the ultimate punishment of the sack. The watching Sir Jim Ratcliffe might be inclined to grant him a stay of execution. Ten Hag can argue that four of those five winless games, sandwiching the trauma against Tottenham, have finished level.

It wasn’t a thriller at the Villa but it provided the antidote to the chaotic 3-3 in Porto. United can claim they succeeded where Bayern Munich failed, taking a point at Villa Park this week. If Ten Hag’s team were underdogs, they played like it, too. But they did so with a determination and an organisation that suggested they have not given up on him. There can be a strangeness to some of Ten Hag’s selections, but this was a day when he felt justified: Jonny Evans, an unexpected inclusion, delivered a man-of-the-match display.

Evans is the throwback, the remnant of more successful days. United’s vocal travelling support did not turn on Ten Hag, instead running through their songbook celebrating past favourites, many of them Evans’ former teammates.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin October 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE INDEPENDENT DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The Independent

Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?

The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
The Independent

Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.

“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”

time-read
4 dak  |
November 28, 2024
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
The Independent

North can't compete with south's individual X factor

Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals

time-read
4 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
The Independent

Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus

Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
The Independent

Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not

A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
The Independent

Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules

Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review

time-read
3 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
The Independent

Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money

Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
The Independent

Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver

Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for

time-read
2 dak  |
November 28, 2024
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
The Independent

Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope

Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
The Independent

Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths

Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court

time-read
3 dak  |
November 28, 2024