The irony for Ten Hag was that his best attacker in the first half was Scott McTominay, another player he was happy to jettison in the summer.
Højlund, meanwhile, showed plenty of effort and commitment, but the £72m forward was starved of service because Ten Hag has yet to devise a tactical plan that will enable his centre-forward to get the ball in dangerous areas. The manager could expect that role of supply to be taken by Marcus Rashford, but last season’s top scorer has netted just once in the league this season, so whenever he has a sight of goal from within 30 yards, he shoots in desperation rather than look to pass to his attacking teammate.
Ten Hag, of course, cannot take full responsibility for the poor decision-making of his players, but he is the man charged with making the eleven work as a cohesive unit. He is failing in his most important task.
City’s players tend to make the right decisions, they play as a team, find the right pass and score the big chances. That is down to Guardiola’s coaching, tactics and the belief he instills in his players.
Under Ten Hag, United have no belief and they increasingly look as though they aren’t coached as they should be. Even the Glazers can’t be blamed for that. That all lies at the manager’s door.
