Micah Richards has blasted Erik ten Hag for making two selection calls that backfired badly on Manchester United in their thrashing at Brentford.
Ten Hag made just one change from the defeat to Brighton, bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo to start up-front. That saw Christian Eriksen shift into midfield, with the Dane appearing to take up a deep-lying position compared to Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
It also meant that Lisandro Martinez continued at centre-back alongside Harry Maguire, despite the Argentine looking susceptible to aerial threats against the Seagulls. It took just 34 minutes to see that those selection decisions had totally backfired on United.
The Bees went four goals ahead, with the second coming when Eriksen lost the ball and the third when Martinez was bullied off a high ball by Ben Mee. And that led to former Premier League winner Richards blasting Ten Hag for his decision-making.
"Today was pathetic. I’m flabbergasted watching this. It was just the basics to be honest. Brentford played well. It was just a basic throw in, Fred makes the decision to go but then allows the space for Dasilva to get in that pocket of space and then its a bad mistake from De Gea, which happens in football," Richards told Match of the Day.
"This one, Martinez taking the goal kick, then it’s got to go wide, doesn’t happen, then his touched in front of him, which only allows him to go forward, he sees Eriksen is under pressure so kick it long - that is your only option to do there. Eriksen gets caught on the ball sleeping. It’s a nice finish by Jensen.
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"Toney against Martinez. Ten Hag saying in his notes that it wasn’t about tactics - that is tactical and then who is going to win it between Mee and Martinez - people ask whether his height is going to be a problem in that situation, it was."
Ten Hag has not yet decided how best to deploy Eriksen, with the Dane failing to convince in either of the positions he has played in so far. And the general crisis around United has left Richards feeling that the situation at Old Trafford is "bleak".
"Martinez again, can he go five yards back? Just to give himself a comfort blanket? Doesn’t happen. Maguire can see Toney right in front of him and the other side Shaw can see Mbeumo right in front of him," he added as he discussed the fourth goal.
"Yes they’re chasing the game I understand that but it’s back to basics. Maguire lets him run and then yes it’s a wonderful pass from Toney but who wants it more? It was Mbeumo. And that was just the story of the first half.
"Arguing, no one knew the jobs they were supposed to be doing and just not sticking to basics. He (Ten Hag’s] got a massive job on his hands, he really has. Last week he played Eriksen as a false nine.
"Then this week he played him just in front of the back four. It wasn't really working. Fred couldn't get on the ball, he made three substitutions at half-time to change it up. But it's just all bleak."
