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Would Postecoglou have been a better fit? What next at Old Trafford?
Image source, Getty Images
成人快手 Sport Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on the weekend's football.
David from Glasgow asked: Hi Phil. Would Ange have been a better fit for Man Utd?
Phil answered: Hello, David. It鈥檚 easy to be wise after the event and Ten Hag looked a good fit at the time after his work with Ajax.
I remember how Postecoglou was greeted when he was appointed Celtic manager. I鈥檓 sure you will agree he hardly had the red carpet rolled out for him, even though he then did a superb job delivering thrilling attacking football.
I certainly think Postecoglou鈥檚 style would have been enjoyed by Manchester United鈥檚 fans but he has not won a trophy yet while Ten Hag, for all the criticism, has won two at Old Trafford.
He may well have been a good fit but you just never know and, as I said, it is an easy thing to say now. Ten Hag鈥檚 appointment was very well received at the time but I do feel he is under serious pressure now.
Harrison from Johannesburg asked: Hey Phil, what's next for Manchester United? To keep Erik or not and get who? What exactly is the problem with United - players not playing to the manager鈥檚 instructions or a Manager that's clueless?
Phil answered: Hello, Harrison. I think the problem is that there is no clear identity to United鈥檚 team, no obvious strategy Ten Hag is employing.
Whether it has flaws or not, and it did not yesterday, you can see exactly what Ange Postecoglou is trying to do at Spurs. Pace out wide, attacking style, high defensive line. It is clear.
Look at Arne Slot and Enzo Maresca at Liverpool and Chelsea in particular. They have barely got their feet under the desks but you can see Slot is incorporating the best of what Jurgen Klopp left him with a more measured, controlled style. You can see Maresca is adopting a very obvious passing style, front to back.
What can you see that is positively identifiable with Ten Hag? I鈥檓 struggling to be honest.
As for Ten Hag鈥檚 future? The reality suggests he is on the brink. He was given an almost reluctant vote of confidence in the summer and there have been no signs of improvement.