Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has expressed his frustration with Erik Ten Hag for allowing a standout goal-scorer to leave the club on a free transfer. This player has since outperformed Hojlund, scoring 15 goals and providing assists in only seven matches.

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly criticized Erik ten Hag for his decision to let a standout goal-scorer leave the club on a free transfer. This player, who has since surpassed Hojlund in goal-scoring prowess, has made a significant impact elsewhere, accumulating 15 goals and assists in just seven games.

Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United has been marked by questionable decisions. Despite his assertion that winning two trophies can compensate for poor league performance, the club’s overall situation remains less than ideal. Although the top management of the football club appears more organized, giving ten Hag another season after the FA Cup win has not yielded substantial improvements.

This season’s start has been underwhelming for Manchester United, with only three points from their first three matches. The club did make some notable signings over the summer, including Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. However, Yoro’s injury could mean he may not feature in any competitive matches under the current manager.

In stark contrast, Manchester City has enjoyed a flying start to the season, led by Pep Guardiola and the prolific Erling Haaland. City appears set to vie for another league title with Haaland in top form.

The Norwegian striker has been exceptional, scoring two hat-tricks in the first three weeks of the season and amassing seven goals already. Haaland’s impressive record includes two Golden Boots and an incredible 97 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions, positioning him as the best striker globally.

Manchester United’s attempt to find a comparable striker, Rasmus Hojlund, has yet to match Haaland’s impact. Hojlund has scored 16 goals in the 2023/24 season, a solid figure but far from Haaland’s remarkable output. Halting Haaland seems almost impossible, as only injury can disrupt his performance.

The Red Devils would likely benefit from having a player of Wayne Rooney’s prime caliber or even a dynamic Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad to boost their performance. Reflecting on past seasons, Ten Hag’s frustration with the club’s environment, partly due to Ronaldo’s departure, highlights the challenges he faces. Ronaldo, a key figure during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final years, had a storied career before his return to England for what was seen as a final chapter.