The draw against Bournemouth seemed to have sunk all the players and coaching staff of Man United in the race with Aston Villa and Tottenham. However, theoretically, the “Red Devils” still have hope, and they are not allowed to lose heart like the defeated ones.

Man United have only won 1 out of their last 7 Premier League matches.

The upcoming three matches for Man United resemble a promotion battle in the Premier League. This is because they will face Coventry City (FA Cup semi-final) followed by Sheffield United and Burnley (Premier League).

Coventry City currently competes in the Championship, but due to the do-or-die nature of the FA Cup semi-final, Mark Robins’ team promises to approach the match against Man United with the spirit of a Premier League promotion playoff.

Meanwhile, Burnley and Sheffield United are currently positioned 19th and 20th respectively in the Premier League. They are desperate for three points against Man United more than ever. Particularly for Burnley, having just returned to the Premier League after several years, facing relegation back to the Championship would be catastrophic.

Ten Hag is losing control at Man United, from performance on the pitch to matters concerning the dressing room.

The immediate opponents are all teams considered weaker. If they win all three, Erik ten Hag’s team will advance to the FA Cup final and gain more hope in the race for a Champions League spot. In the current confusion, belief is more important than tactics. Manchester United has been playing all season, if things were truly good, it should have been evident long ago, not when they’re losing control like now.

After the draw against Bournemouth, Erik ten Hag was asked by reporters about the possibility of Manchester United finishing 7th or lower (the lowest position in Premier League history). The Dutch coach didn’t respond and left the press conference immediately. It’s a sign that the Dutch manager is under immense pressure. To overcome the current crisis, there’s no other way for the “Red Devils” but to start winning again. Who knows, maybe in a few weeks, everything will brighten up again?

Why compare Manchester United’s upcoming matches with relegation battles in the Premier League? Even though Man United is in 6th place and Sheffield is at the bottom, their stats are similarly poor. The team at Old Trafford is conceding an average of 17.9 shots per game, while Sheffield’s is 17.8.

Manchester United leads the list of teams conceding the most shots per game (including penalties).

Manchester United’s performance this season hasn’t been good, partly due to a string of key players’ injuries. It will be very difficult for Ten Hag to explain why they conceded two goals in injury time against Chelsea. Prior to that, they were tormented by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium and were lucky to hold onto a point. Similarly, in their recent match, earning a point against Bournemouth was also a consolation gift at Vitality Stadium as Man United played terribly.

The lack of gameplay, spirit, and sufficient physical fitness are the biggest reasons for the current situation. A season with high expectations, but Ten Hag has committed mistake after mistake. To save his seat, the 53-year-old coach must find a way to break through in the remaining rounds.

Manchester United’s defense is problematic, even likened to having too many leaks. Jamie Redknapp said Casemiro playing on the field is like participating in a charity match. The fitness and form of the Brazilian star have severely declined this season.

In Justin Kluivert’s goal, Diogo Dalot, tasked with marking the Dutch star on the outside, went missing. Alejandro Garnacho also didn’t drop back early to support defense. From the defensive elements to the operation of this line, Ten Hag has yet to find a stable formula.

Since the beginning of the season up to now in the Premier League (excluding penalties), Manchester United has conceded 568 shots and several other poor statistics.

There have been many more sad moments since the beginning of the season, but overall, Manchester United may still maintain a similar form as last season, but it’s a form of stagnation while opponents continue to progress.

Time and opportunities still exist for Manchester United. The next three matches all face weaker opponents, if they cannot win and find opportunities for themselves, Ten Hag might consider packing up and leaving Old Trafford early.

Erik ten Hag no longer has time to prove his capabilities.