⚽️ Manchester United Crisis? Erik ten Hag Doesn't Think So

Good morning. Yesterday’s Monday night match pitting Nottingham Forest against Burnley called to mind the age-old question: Would you rather watch two mediocre/bad teams, or have no Monday game at all? Only you can answer that one for yourself.

In the email today:

From the “please don’t urinate on my scalp and call it rain” department, here is Manchester United Erik ten Hag denying that his club is in crisis. United have won two, lost three and have a -4 goal difference. No problem, says ten Hag.

• Despite the poor start — the first time United has lost three of their first five league matches in the Premier League era — ten Hag does not consider it a crisis, but acknowledges the disappointment and frustration among the team and fans.

• The Old Trafford crowd jeered during the match and after the final whistle.

• After the 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, Manchester United sits 13th in the Premier League standings.

• United's season, which began with hopes of a title challenge, is in danger of unraveling due to both off-field issues and disappointing on-field performances.

• Ten Hag's upcoming matches against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Burnley are crucial, and he acknowledges the need for improvement within the team.

Our take: We have covered this previously, but aside from being pretty aimless and sort of bad, United are ridiculously expensive from a wage standpoint. It’s always easier to replace one manager than it is to replace 20+ expensive underperformers. Erik ten Hag might be a great manager. It’s just that he might need to show that somewhere else.

2) 🔮 Arsenal Manager Arteta Thinks Switching Keepers Is the Way of the Future

Yesterday we discussed at some length our confusion and essential disapproval at Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s choice to bench Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya. This was a particularly odd move considering that Ramsdale was playing well. Twenty-four hours later, Arteta was not only not reconsidering his strategy — he was declaring it the way forward.

• Arteta challenged the traditional notion of having an established No. 1 goalkeeper and emphasized the need to utilize multiple goalkeepers with different qualities.

• He pointed out that questions aren't raised when he doesn't select outfield players like Gabriel Jesus, so Arteta believes in giving opportunities to different goalkeepers.

• Arteta expressed his willingness to make goalkeeper substitutions even during matches if the situation requires it, comparing it to making outfield substitutions.

• Arteta said he had regrets about not making goalkeeper substitutions in previous matches when he felt it would have helped his team.

• Arteta believes that changing goalkeepers during a match can help change the momentum and is a strategy that should be considered.

Our take: At least on this point, Arteta is completely in Icarus territory. He has had some quick success and now he is flying way too close to the sun. Pulling an uninjured keeper during a match would be the fastest way to destroy that player’s confidence, perhaps irreparably. We really don’t know what the hell Arteta is talking about.

3) ❌ of the Day Times Two: Good Money and Bad Money

4) 🗳️ If United Loses At Bayern Munich Tomorrow, Should ten Hag Be Fired?

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• 😡 United forward Marcus Rashford isn’t delighted by EA Sports FC’s rating of his abilities.

• 👍️ Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola thinks Chelsea and Manchester United rebounds are only a matter of time.

• 🇺🇸 Here’s a handy reference for you laying out the American owners of Prem clubs.

• ⚽️ Numerous former Premier League players (some of whom won trophies) are playing in the world’s “best pickup soccer game.”

• 👀 Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says Mykhailo Mudryk “still needs to learn” how to play in the Prem.

The newsletter today was written by Phil Keidel. Follow Phil on X @philkeidel.

Thanks for reading!