Man Utd ‘need a win to convince of progress’

Bill Rice, BBC Radio Manchester

Manchester United took the unusual step of banning four media organisations from their news conference this week, after they felt they weren’t offered a right to reply to stories suggesting dressing room unrest.

Manager Erik ten Hag dismissed the notion some players are unhappy with his tactics and training methods, adding the majority are committed to the “proactive, dynamic, brave” style of play he is trying to implement.

The Dutchman also disputed that one poor performance at Newcastle shows a pattern that a no-good culture still exists at Old Trafford, and players are not trying.

He countered that they “played brilliantly the week before” at Everton, and mentioned wins over the likes of Fulham, Burnley, Brentford and Luton as examples of the spirit in the squad.

Those wins are expected at a club like United though, and at some point fans will also expect to see them challenge and beat bigger teams. They have lost every game they have played against teams in the top half of the Premier League this season.

Chelsea are currently 10th, but a game against the inconsistent Blues at Old Trafford on Wednesday night might present their best chance of doing that.

That is especially as the game is at Old Trafford, and not away from home where their woeful record means they have not beaten a team in the top eight since a victory at Tottenham in October 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still in charge.

Supporters will also be concerned that United have made their worst start to a season since 1973-74 – the same season they were relegated from the English top flight.

If United really are progressing as Ten Hag suggests, they need to improve that record quickly.

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