Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that Manchester United’s players have been “getting worse” under manager Erik ten Hag.

The BBC pundit cited the examples of Aston Villa and Tottenham, where the coaching methods of Unai Emery and Ange Postecoglou have helped improve their respective teams. However, Wright says ten Hag has not had the same impact and it could be argued that certain players, such as Marcus Rashford, have regressed:

“You can look at [Aston] Villa players, he [Unai Emery] came after Stevie [Gerrard]. Look at the Tottenham players after [Antonio] Conte, these players have improved with the coaching they’re getting. Man United players are not improving. In actual fact they are getting worse. I watched Rashford the other day, it looks like his decision-making, whatever his decision-making, it’s off, he scored a beautiful goal, but it’s off.

“I think you look at Man United, it’s pure and simple, I think it’s great Sir Jim [Ratcliffe] is coming in, he looks like he’s very much a massive supporter, he wants to make change because obviously being a fan as well. He could’ve done so many other things, but he’s come in because he wants to put it right. I think if he gets those people… it comes down to the structure on the pitch and the coach [Ten Hag], is that coach good enough?”

Wright is being unfair on ten Hag

It should be pointed out that Rashford had the best season of his professional career during Erik ten Hag’s first campaign in charge. The England international scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances.

In the season just before ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford, the forward had also struggled, with just 5 goals in 32 matches. Confidence has arguably played more of a role in Rashford’s form over the past few years than anything else.

The United manager has given chances to young players

The likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have also been integrated into the first team during ten Hag’s time at the Red Devils so it’s hard to fault the Dutchman in terms of youth development either.

Where ten Hag can be criticised, though, is his tactics. 18 months into his tenure as manager, the club’s style of play remains undefined, which is a major concern.