Forget about Bruno Fernandes’ red card, that’s not the reason that Manchester United lost miserably. The root cause of this loss is one of most important figures in the club and I’m not talking about any of the players” – The is according to Manchester United legend Patrice Evra as he claims that Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham is entirely due to one key individual.

Manchester United’s dismal home performance against Tottenham was worsened by Bruno Fernandes’ red card late in the first half.

The sending off of Fernandes for a high challenge on James Maddison sparked divided opinions.

Fernandes contested the red card, insisting he slipped during the challenge.

At the time, Manchester United were trailing 1-0 and ultimately lost 3-0. However, the defeat should not be attributed to the red card incident alone.

Erik ten Hag is to blame
Manchester United were already on course for a poor defeat before Fernandes’ red card. Ten Hag’s side never controlled the game.

At the time of the sending-off, United had less than 40% possession, with Tottenham clearly the dominant team.

Ange Postecoglou’s side executed their strategy effectively, packing the midfield and limiting United to counter-attacks.

In contrast, Ten Hag’s team appeared disorganized, lacking a clear plan, and committing basic individual mistakes.

It’s simply unacceptable from a manager who has spent heavily and is dealing with minimal injury concerns.

Despite being the home team, United played like the away side, and even if Fernandes had stayed on the pitch, they were headed for defeat.

**Erik ten Hag under pressure**
After winning the FA Cup Final, Erik ten Hag kept his job and was expected by sporting director Dan Ashworth to deliver consistent strong performances.

However, just weeks into the new season, Ten Hag is delivering consistently poor displays, and the responsibility lies with him.

United currently sit 12th in the Premier League, with a -3 goal difference and only seven points from six games, far behind the leading teams.

Their Europa League form is just as disappointing, with a home draw against FC Twente.

The performances have been subpar, and more concerningly, United has failed to score in three of their last four league matches.

With pressure mounting, we looked at eight potential replacements for Ten Hag, some of whom might already be waiting for a call from the club.Manchester United’s struggles this season, particularly in their 3-0 loss to Tottenham, have intensified scrutiny on Erik ten Hag. The team’s poor performance, even before Bruno Fernandes’ red card, highlights deeper issues in their strategy and execution. Tottenham dominated possession and control, while United seemed disorganized and reactive, despite playing at home.

The red card incident, while controversial, was not the main cause of the defeat. United’s tactical shortcomings, poor possession, and individual mistakes put them on the back foot from the start. Erik ten Hag’s inability to address these issues, despite significant financial investment and relatively few injury problems, is a growing concern.

With Manchester United sitting 12th in the Premier League and struggling in the Europa League, Ten Hag’s future is uncertain. His inconsistent results since winning the FA Cup final have led to speculation about potential replacements, as fans and management alike question whether he can turn things around.