Manchester United have endured a poor start to this season, picking up two wins from six league games.
The Red Devils suffered home defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and have scored once at Old Trafford in the league this season.
Last Wednesday, Manchester United had to settle for a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League at Old Trafford. That was followed by a 3-0 loss to Spurs on Sunday.
Former Feyenoord midfielder and manager Willem van Hanegem, writing in his column for Algemeen Dagblad, insists the Eredivisie side picking up a point against Manchester United wasn’t a ‘miracle’.
“Let me start with something positive, otherwise the whining people will only find me negative again. I really enjoyed Twente, with almost only Dutch players and a great German goalkeeper, last week in Manchester,” he said.
“Not only on the field, but also in the stands. All those enthusiastic supporters, that is the right way to draw attention to the club. It was nice that they got a point. But please stop calling it some kind of football miracle.”
Prior to the clash against Tottenham, Erik ten Hag stated Manchester United’s model is now signing young players. He also said that patience is needed, before these recruits start to impress for the Red Devils.
Van Hanegem is puzzled with the former Ajax manager’s excuses to defend his side’s poor performances on the pitch.
“Manchester United are so mediocre, you just don’t believe it. That was also evident on Sunday against Spurs,” Van Hanegem explained.
“Even crazier is that Ten Hag keeps saying the strangest things. The money he was allowed to spend to strengthen his team would give a horse the hiccups. But he keeps talking about a young team, young signings and they are still in a process or something.
“I saw the starting XI against Twente, with the ages: Onana (28), Mazraoui (26), Maguire (31), Martínez (26), Dalot (25), Ugarte (23), Fernandes (30), Eriksen (32), Diallo (22), Zirkzee (23) and Rashford (26). That wasn’t the B1 [reserve team] or something, right?
“What a load of nonsense. I wouldn’t dare say it all, that nonsense. Yes, that Danish striker Rasmus Højlund came on. He’s 21, but worth €65m. How is it possible that someone at such a big club can keep talking so much nonsense?”
Manchester United will face FC Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League before October’s international break.
