SHOCKING NEWS: coming live from Fabrizio Romano, Trouble in United’s dressing room as Seven Manchester United players has made a case against keeping Erik ten Hag this morning. The latest from old Trafford is this, the players no longer believe he has the qualities to lead them forward and are calling on the board to to make a decision on who will take over ten Hag’s leadership.

Erik ten Hag refrained from grasping at the obvious excuses for Manchester United’s dismal performance against Crystal Palace. While the ongoing injury crisis was briefly acknowledged, there was no mention of the contentious disallowed goal involving Casemiro’s header. It was a night of stark exposure, with no refuge available.

The injury situation at United is often cited as a convenient excuse, yet it fails to fully account for their on-field shortcomings. While it’s understood that injuries can impact performance levels, they cannot justify the extent of Monday night’s humiliation. What’s particularly telling is that many of the key absentees were not signed by the current manager; only two of the ten sidelined senior players were recruited by Ten Hag.

The vulnerability of Ten Hag’s team without a recognized center-back pairing was evident at Selhurst Park. However, when confronted with this challenge, it was incumbent upon the manager to adapt his tactics accordingly. Instead, United persisted with their usual approach, despite lacking the necessary personnel. This failure to provide adequate defensive cover is difficult to sympathize with, given the obvious need for it.

Certain players, like Kobbie Mainoo, were left exposed amidst a lack of leadership on the field. Expecting Mainoo to single-handedly change the game was unfair, while others like Christian Eriksen were ill-suited to the match’s demands. The decision not to deploy an extra defensive midfielder or start Sofyan Amrabat for added protection raises questions about the manager’s tactical acumen.

The starting lineup against Palace cost a staggering £404.5 million to assemble, with seven players signed by Ten Hag. Despite this significant investment, the team’s performance failed to reflect the manager’s vision. If players specifically brought in to execute his tactical approach appear disorganized and ineffectual, the responsibility ultimately falls on the manager. While there’s speculation that Ten Hag could thrive under better football infrastructure, the Palace match underscored doubts about his suitability for the role.

In the remaining matches of the season, Ten Hag will attempt to plead his case for retention. However, while results may grab headlines, the manner of performances will provide crucial context. Thus far, they have fallen short of expectations, regardless of the injury situation.

Although United’s squad has been decimated by injuries, many of Ten Hag’s players remain available, suggesting deeper issues beyond mere absences.