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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Unwin at Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag struggles to impose clear style on mundane Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes battles for the ball at Old Trafford
A narrow 1-0 win against Luton will do little to assuage concerns over Manchester United’s direction under Erik ten Hag. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

“We want to do it in the United way,” Erik ten Hag proclaimed before the start of the season. This concept was supposed to be “aggressive” and “dynamic” but most importantly it would “surprise” supporters.

Twelve Premier League games and a seventh win by one goal later, the only surprising element is how mundane the football has become. It required a winner from Victor Lindelöf to secure the points against Luton, the third time this season United have needed a centre‑back to settle the result.

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