Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: Ten Hag’s Doomsday Clock

Manchester United take on a highly in-form Aston Villa side tonight, at the worst possible time they could have been paired together.

Worst of all, is the fact that this tie no longer separates itself from an away fixture where the Red Devils can be considered as having the advantage of being at their home turf of Old Trafford .

Old Trafford has not only lost its enigma, but also its fear factor. Before now, it stood as a ground no one wants to go to, especially in the holiday week.

It held a fear factor for rival teams. And when we speak of rival teams, we talk about the top guns like the Chelseas, the Liverpools and the Arsenals dreading a journey to Manchester and of all places, Old Trafford.

However, times have changed, and right now, even a team like AFC Bournemouth can take on the journey to the Rainy City and return with all 3 points unchallenged. There no longer is a fear of Old Trafford just like there is no fear of playing against Manchester United be it away or at home.

The ground has not only lost its fear factor, but also the mental grip it held on opposition teams.

Back then, teams travel to the City hoping to scavenge at best; a draw and at worse; avoid a humiliation. But like we said, the times have changed, and now, teams actually go to Old Trafford seeking for a win and nothing less.

However, despite times changing, and Aston Villa likely heading to the famous ground seeking to beat Manchester United, this particular game stands different, if not more important than any other game at this moment.

In as much as it has everything going against Manchester United on the form table, there is one outcome that manager, Erik ten Hag cannot risk happening tonight; a defeat or anything less than a win.

Currently, the Dutchman has seen recent results (4 consecutive games; 3 defeats without a goal scored by Man United) inspire negative narratives on him in the media.

There are calls for his sack; though not loud, but most common, questions surrounding his managerial style and tactics that have done little to yield any positive outcome.

The fandom has exhausted itself looking for a fall guy, with some pinpointing the Glazer ownership, while others finger-pointing Ten Hag himself.

Hence, this game as ordinary as it seems, stands a ticking doomsday clock for Erik ten Hag and whatever legacy he hopes to leave behind at Manchester United. Another defeat this mid-week, whether marginal or humbling starts the clock to his exit from the club.

The narratives will even be worse of Manchester United yet again fail to score a goal against Aston Villa, as it will then become 5 consecutive games without the team seeing the back of the net against its opponent.

And looking at the team’s next premier league games, Erik ten Hag surely needs to get Manchester United firing against Aston Villa, to win back fan support or risk the road ahead becoming terrifying for his already damaged Old Trafford CV.