Manchester United continue to make history for all the wrong reasons, as the Red Devils’ nightmare of a season under manager Erik ten Hag is trudging towards its end

Manchester United have now conceded more goals this season than in their infamous 1970-71 campaign.

Erik ten Hag and his players tasted defeat for the 14th time this Premier League season on Sunday, as they were beaten 1-0 by title-chasing Arsenal at Old Trafford. An early goal from Leandro Trossard made the difference, the 82nd strike which United have conceded in their 49 games across all competitions this term.

The Red Devils last conceded more times than that 53 years ago when they were initially managed by Wilf McGuiness before Sir Matt Busby returned the dugout midway through the campaign, but could only guide them to eighth in the old First Division. Arsenal’s win also marked United’s ninth defeat on home soil this season – a joint-record for the 20-time English champions.

Those miserable stats only add to the immense pressure facing boss Ten Hag, who’s second season in charge could result in another eighth-placed finish. But the Dutchman was encouraged by his side’s overall display against Arsenal, especially following on from Monday’s humiliating 4-0 loss away to Crystal Palace.

Asked if there was positives to take, Ten Hag told BBC Sport: “Yes, but it’s still disappointing. I want to win, it doesn’t matter who we face on the pitch. We have to win every game and give everything.

The embattled United manager also insisted that he’s capable of turning the team’s form around, saying: “I have no doubt about this. As human beings and my experience that [the defeat at Palace] will always happen once in three months when you are not in the right attitude.

“But, mostly this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions. I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting.”

 

Erik ten Hag insists that he can turn things around ( Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Club legend Wayne Rooney, who played for United when they finish seventh under David Moyes in 2013, claimed before the match that things have never “felt as bad” at Old Trafford in his lifetime. “Throughout the season, the goals they have conceded, the lack of desire at times,” Rooney bemoaned on Sky Sports.

“We finished seventh when David Moyes was here, but it never ever – I know Moyes lost his job – but it never felt as bad as what it is now. I think they all are [fighting for their jobs]; managers, players, coaches, recruitment; the whole club. This end of the season they have some difficult games coming up and then they have the FA Cup final.”

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