What are the main aspects which could fix Manchester United's season?

Harry Maguire’s 91st minute goal dragged Manchester United to a draw and a point in the Europa League the other night but not after yet another disappointing performance to start the season which saw Bruno Fernandes shown a red card for the second time in two matches, just days after he saw his suspension lifted following an appeal.

HARRY MAGUIRE EQUALIZES IN STOPPAGE TIME FOR 10-MEN MAN UNITED!!!

INSTANT IMPACT OFF THE BENCH!!! pic.twitter.com/knzmOL2jNZ

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 3, 2024

Erik ten Hag’s men currently sit 21st in the Europa League’s new structure, at this moment they are just about in a playoff spot, but with a goal difference of 0 they are dangerously close to straight elimination from the tournament after their opening two games. United also sit 13th in the Premier League with just seven points through the first six weeks of play, managing only two wins with one draw and three losses; they already have a -3 goal difference.

With a trip to Aston Villa awaiting them this weekend, who are fresh off the high of beating German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and arguably United’s only convincing win being a 7-0 thrashing over League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup; it feels no exaggeration to say disaster is already striking United. So just what can possibly save the season before it’s too late?

Sacking Erik ten Hag

I’m going to start by getting the obvious out the way, sacking ten Hag should be where United start. If you read any of my pieces on United’s managerial situation towards the end of last season, my stance on ten Hag is probably quite clear. He should have been fired following the abysmal performances across the 2023/24 season, as we are now a decent way into this season that has seen the options at his disposal heavily bolstered with the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte, the performance on the field has shown no signs of improving.

🔴⚠️ Erik ten Hag ahead of Aston Villa game on risk of being fired: "I'm not even thinking about such issues because that is not a topic. We are in there together".

"The ownership, the leadership, the team, the staff. I appointed new staff". pic.twitter.com/h6tZITFhLu

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2024

Of course the ten Hag situation has its complications. Firstly, he will be the first to tell you that he has delivered Manchester United two trophies in his first two years, and while this is commendable given that one of those came by beating rivals Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final; the fact of the matter is it simply does not paper over the cracks of poor performances, failing to be competitive with the rest of the Premier League’s best teams, a negative goal difference in both last season and the start of this campaign and the shockingly bad record in Europe.

The last is perhaps the most concerning: in United’s last 10 games in Europe under ten Hag, they have just one win coming against Copenhagen in the Champions League with four draws and five defeats. United exited last year’s Champions League in the group stages finishing bottom of the group with four points and have the real possibility of straight elimination from the new look Europa League this year.

The second issue with sacking Erik ten Hag is that it would come not too long after the club gave him their public support by extending his contract until 2026. With new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe already playing coy on the manager’s future, they may just have to bite the bullet, admit their mistake and make a change before it's too late.

🚨 Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Erik ten Hag’s future: “I like Erik, he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call…”, tells @DanRoan for BBC.

“The management has to decide, they've only arrived in July”.

“Now they need to take stock, make some sensible decisions” pic.twitter.com/Vjn8IPf4xL

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2024

Alejandro Garnacho

The young Argentine has consistently been one of United’s brightest sparks even going back to last season and if the club are to have any success this year, he needs to be the first name on the team sheet. Across all competitions this season, Garnacho has already collected three goals and three assists despite only starting in four of United’s nine matches so far.

Alejandro Garnacho took 8 shots against Porto, more than twice as many as any other Manchester United player.

Persistent. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/jm5T9XN2nz

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 3, 2024

With Amad Diallo continuing to perform on the right flank, it appears to be a competition between Marcus Rashford and Garnacho for the left and despite Rashford starting to get back onto the scoresheet, the overall performances leave me struggling to see how not starting Garnacho can be justified by ten Hag given that when the youngster is on the field, he is one of few United players willing to take on a defender and make something happen.