FILE - Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo and former assistant coach coach Benni McCarthy pictured together at Old Trafford in 2022. FILE - Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo and former assistant coach coach Benni McCarthy pictured together at Old Trafford in 2022. United have been struggling to hit the back of the net since McCarthy left the club in the off-season. Picture: Oli Scarff / AFP
Some South African Manchester United fans have called for Benni McCarthy to return to the club following their humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure to keep his job after a disastrous start to the season. United are currently 13th in the Premier League after two wins, one draw and three defeats from their first six matches.
However, the most concerning statistic is that they have only managed five goals in the league so far, with only one of them coming at home at Old Trafford.
McCarthy was in charge of the United strike force over the last two season before he left the club at the end of the previous campaign. The former Bafana Bafana striker was credited for Marcus Rashford’s revival a few seasons ago, while the other attackers such as the young Rasmus Hojlund also spoke glowingly of his influence.
Rashford was cooking for Manchester United under Benni Mccarthy.
— Mzwandile (@Dr_EmZet) September 2, 2024
FACTS!!!! pic.twitter.com/48y3MXIrsA
McCarthy was replaced by club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy in Ten Hag’s backroom staff after his contact expired. Van Nistelrooy was one of the world’s deadliest strikers in his prime, the arch poacher who just knew where to be in the box to tap home a goal.
However, he has not been able to carry over that knowledge to the United attackers, as the Red Devils look toothless upfront.
The gameplan, or lack thereof, also seems to be a problem, as pundits are puzzled about what sort of team United actually are. The match against Tottenham was a clear example of a team with an identity and way of playing, and another who look like it’s just about the vibes.
Thank you, Benni !! pic.twitter.com/GE4BF88YMT
— 𝑅![CDATA[]]>𝒶![CDATA[]]>𝓈![CDATA[]]>𝓂![CDATA[]]>𝓊![CDATA[]]>𝓈 𝐻![CDATA[]]>𝑜![CDATA[]]>𝒿![CDATA[]]>𝓁![CDATA[]]>𝓊![CDATA[]]>𝓃![CDATA[]]>𝒹 (@RasmusHojlundFC) June 27, 2024
Tottenham press high up the pitch and try to put pressure on the opposition attackers to make a mistake. However, United, don’t press high, but they don’t sit back in a low block either.
On Sunday they were chasing shadows against Ange Postecoglou’s side, who has now taken seven points off United in three meetings over the last two seasons.
United legend Paul Scholes said after the game United “looked like an uncoached football team”.
“You don’t know how they’re going to approach games, whether they are going to play on the counter-attack or sit deep or whether they’re going to try to have all the possession in the game. We’ve no idea,” the midfielder said.
However, the fans, especially those in South Africa, think that McCarthy could be the man to solve the problems at United, as Ten Hag faces another difficult week with matches against Porto in the Europa League and Aston Villa in the Premier League to come before the international break.
@JohnGoliath82