Unveiling Man Utd's Away Struggles: Erik ten Hag's Battle Against Bayern Munich and Burnley

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag denies that the club is in crisis, although there is widespread disagreement. The team has been facing various problems both on and off the pitch, with three defeats in their last four games. Additionally, there are ongoing issues when playing away from home.

Throughout his tenure, which spans a complete season, Ten Hag successfully ended the club's six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup. He also led the team to the finals of the FA Cup and achieved a third-place finish in the Premier League in the previous campaign.

But United are not completely out of the woods from the feeling of the disastrous campaign they endured two seasons ago. A crisis is never too far away, with the club currently positioned 13th in the league table after managing to accumulate only six points from their first five games - the latest blow being a bruising 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United's form on the road is a major concern, as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday and Burnley on Saturday. However, their track record as away visitors against top-nine teams from last season is disheartening, with only one point earned.

Ten Hag's side is facing mounting pressure on multiple fronts following their recent poor away performances. They suffered a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal before the international break, following a 2-0 loss to Tottenham two weeks prior. However, it's not only the results that should worry Ten Hag, but a range of issues that have surfaced.

Last season, United suffered heavy defeats, conceding a total of seven goals against Liverpool and six against Manchester City. They also struggled defensively, allowing four goals in the first half against Brentford and two in the first 11 minutes at Aston Villa. Additionally, leads were carelessly relinquished in matches against Arsenal, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace. Furthermore, the loss at Newcastle in April was particularly disheartening, as United managed to register just one shot on target.

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Man Utd's away form before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal before the international break

United have consistently underperformed when playing against stronger teams in the Premier League, regardless of the situation or setting. However, the collapse against Sevilla in the Europa League last season proved that United can also struggle against weaker teams when they are under pressure while playing away.

When Liverpool narrowed the gap to just one point in the final stages of last season, despite having played two more games, it increased the pressure on Ten Hag's team as the season approached its crucial moments.

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"When you look at these away stats, it's a real concern and a bad reflection on the group of players you have," said We pundit Roy Keane after the Arsenal defeat.

United clearly possesses a plethora of skilled players; however, their reliance solely on talent implies a dearth of strong personalities and characters. Their away record must markedly enhance, especially considering the caliber of teams they compete against as a prestigious club like United.

"I don't like looking at this. It's a huge concern. If you want to be a top team and compete, they've got to improve that drastically."

So where are United going wrong?

United's basic setup and tactics away from home are not necessarily flawed. In fact, they tend to have higher possession and make more tackles compared to their performances at Old Trafford.

However, under Ten Hag's management, United's defensive performance on the road has been subpar. They have conceded 38 goals in the Premier League during their away matches, whereas at Old Trafford, they have only let in 12 goals. Moreover, while they have successfully maintained their lead at home, they have lost 10 points during away games due to being unable to hold onto a lead against comeback teams.

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The current statistics suggest that the United players still struggle under pressure during important matches. Ten Hag, who became coach after a streak of six consecutive away league losses, believes that there may be a deeper problem with the club's mentality.

"This season, one of our main goals is to improve our performance in away games in order to secure more points and achieve higher levels," stated the United manager prior to their match against Spurs last month.

"Our players' personality plays a significant role in this matter. Therefore, it is essential for them to demonstrate greater personality on the field in order to secure victories in such matches and ultimately increase our points tally in away games."

When it comes to being proactive, United's players seem to become more cautious, as indicated by the statistics. Despite having equal possession, Ten Hag's team makes far fewer attempts at through balls and crosses, resulting in a lower expected-goals rate. It is imperative for United to adopt a more daring approach and play with the same level of freedom and confidence that has allowed them to achieve one of the strongest home records in the league since last season.

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Ten Hag's frustration at his side's inability to claim a statement away win is clear to see. This is a manager who does not believe in 'home and away' games.

"In my opinion, there is no variation - the pitch maintains a consistent size regardless of location, three referees are present, along with a fourth official, the ball is spherical, and it contains air," he expressed in March.

"Therefore, we must engage in the game and assert our own style, and achieving victory against a top-four competitor is the subsequent milestone we must strive for," he concluded.

That step remains elusive for now.