How Erik ten Hag has transformed Man United

Man United seem to be heading in the right direction under Erik ten Hag as they currently sit just one point off the top four.

We’ve looked into their underlying stats this season to see how the new manager has influenced things. 

How last season went 

There’s no hiding from the fact that last season was a disaster for Man United. 

The club finished in sixth place with just 58 points, which was a record low for United in the Premier League. 

United had problems at both ends of the pitch as they were the lowest scoring big six side last season with just 57 goals. 

On top of that, they would regularly leak goals as they conceded a total of 57 goals in the league. 

Cristiano Ronaldo finished the season as their top goalscorer with 18 league goals, but even his impact wasn’t enough last season.  

Harry Maguire’s form was called into question, but it’s fair to say that the entire United backline vastly underperformed last season. 

David De Gea came to their rescue on several occasions last year as he overperformed his post-shot expected goals by 6.7.  

The Spanish goalkeeper was the second biggest overperformer in the Premier League. Man United faced a total of 177 shots, which is highlights how shaky they were at the back. 

Ten Hag has sorted out the defence 

The first task Ten Hag had to tackle was how to restructure their defensive line. 

With the introductions of Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, the new manager has been able to put his stamp on the new side. 

The early signs from United were shaky this season as they conceded six goals in their opening two matches. 

The turning point in their season came on gameweek three as they beat Liverpool at Old Trafford and got up and running for the season. 

Since that point, the preferred partnership at the back has been Martinez and Raphael Varane, who compliment each other well. 

When the French defender has played 90 minutes this season, Man United have managed to keep things much tighter at the back. 

They have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League which is impressive in itself. 

Ten Hag’s side have faced an average of 13.9 shots per game, although the numbers are slightly skewed by the Brentford and Man City games. 

Man United’s new attacking threat 

Ronaldo was the focal point of the majority of United’s attacks from last season, but Ten Hag has restructured the way in which they now go forward. 

Antony and Marcus Rashford have been United’s top goalscorers in the Premier League so far this season with three goals each. 

The goals have been fairly well shared around so far though as seven different players have popped up with a goal in the Premier League. 

Ten Hag’s side have taken an average of 14.2 shots per game, which is the fifth highest in the Premier League. 

United are yet to score from a set-piece this season as the vast majority of their goals have come from open play. 

Four of their goals have been scored on the counter attack and it does seem as if United still have some ways to go until they are the possession orientated side that Ten Hag wants. 

This season they have averaged 51.5% possession, which ranks them ninth in the league for this stat. Given how Ten Hag’s Ajax side dominated the ball, you would imagine he also has this in mind for United. 

They produced arguably their best performance of the season in midweek as they breezed past Spurs. 

They had a total of 28 shots and could have had more than the two goals they scored in the end. 

Next up for United is a tricky looking tie against Chelsea at the weekend.