Five Manchester United’s players are failing to meet Erik ten Hag’s demand this season

Manchester United experienced their third Premier League away defeat of the season on Saturday evening, succumbing 1-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The sixth league defeat of the season for Manchester United was far from surprising, given the commanding performance by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal reflected the Magpies’ dominance throughout the match, as they outplayed United, much like their encounter in April.

The scoreline masked the evident superiority of Newcastle, who registered 22 shots compared to United’s eight.

This marked United’s third Premier League away defeat of the season, following previous losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

The struggle against top-tier opponents away from home mirrors last season’s pattern under Erik ten Hag.

United, under Ten Hag, have yet to secure a victory against fellow top-nine teams on the road. Last season, they garnered only one point from a possible 24 in away matches against the top teams.

The list of defeats included Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, and Brentford. The solitary point came from a draw against Tottenham.

The trend continued this season with a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite Ten Hag emphasizing the need for improved away form, United has yet to rectify their struggles against top-tier opponents.

Seven away games into the current campaign, United has earned 12 points, predominantly against lower-ranked teams.

Notably, their struggles persist when facing top-tier opponents away from home.

Erik ten Hag faces the challenge of breaking this cycle of poor performances and results against prominent rivals on the road.

The lack of confidence and quality in such encounters is a pressing concern that needs prompt resolution.

The persistent trend demands a swift and effective solution from Ten Hag, as Manchester United cannot afford to endure continuous setbacks against top-tier opponents away from home.