1
Manchester United have started the new season in underwhelming fashion, losing two out of three games so far including a disastrous 0-3 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool before the international break.
Erik ten Hag is already feeling the heat and has been given four games to turn the team’s fortunes around or face the sack. Up next is newly-promoted Southampton.
While the Dutchman’s record away from home against the big sides is atrocious, he has a 100 per cent win record against newly-promoted sides in the two seasons he has been at the helm.
The first was that last-minute win against Fulham via Alejandro Garnacho’s late heroics before the Qatar World Cup while the team also secured victories against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
EtH’s record against promoted sides
Last season, the Red Devils emerged triumphant against Burnley courtesy a banger from skipper Bruno Fernandes before claiming all three points against Sheffield United and Luton Town.
The club’s overall record against teams who have jumped up to the top-flight is remarkable with the 20-time English league champions losing only once in Premier League history.
That solitary loss came in former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game in charge, a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Watford, which saw the Norwegian lose his job.
They have won 15 out of the last 17 fixtures with the current run standing at eight consecutive victories, the club’s best-ever run in the competition as per Opta (via the club website).
Next run of fixtures
On paper, Saturday’s afternoon kick-off certainly looks winnable with the Saints losing all three league games thus far while conceding five goals.
With Manuel Ugarte expected to make his debut and Rasmus Hojlund inching closer to fitness, the Old Trafford side are certainly looking in decent shape.
Now for Ten Hag to get the team’s shape in order and play in a coherent structure while not being extremely easy to play through the middle.
United have an easy fixture list after Saturday’s game with a Carabao Cup tie against League One Barnsley up next followed by an away league game against Crystal Palace and the start of their Europa League campaign against Twente FC.
Play for free to win the new United kit! We’re awarding a new prize every PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, just (1) Join this week’s brand new PL Challenge league here with our league code puu1tk and enter your team. (2) Follow The Peoples Person on X and answer the tie breaker question. Full instructions and rules here.
You can also visit Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use discount code TPP30 to get 30% off your first purchase!
