Manchester United on the Brink: Ten Hag's Title Hopes Shattered by Crushing Inconsistency

One step forward, two steps back is how Erik ten Hag has been at Manchester United since a great debut season, and the win against a struggling side does little to alleviate the concerns surrounding his ability to steer the Red Devils back to the top of English football.

There was a palpable sense of optimism around Old Trafford when Ten Hag arrived, fresh from his success in the Eredivisie with Ajax. After a summer of significant spending, there was a legitimate belief that the Dutch tactician could be the man to bring an end to Manchester City's recent dominance of the Premier League.

However, fast forward to the current campaign, and United's struggles have been plain for all to see. Without Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed the club under acrimonious circumstances, the Red Devils have been crying out for a lethal dose of goalscoring prowess, and their recent performances have sparked serious concerns among fans.

Despite possessing some of the game's top talents, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony, Ten Hag's side has failed to gel, and an embarrassing exit from the Champions League has only served to heighten the pressure on the under-fire boss.

Which brings us to this weekend's showdown against West Ham. A win for United would undoubtedly provide a welcome shot in the arm, but if the stuttering nature of their recent displays is any indication, it's difficult to envision the visitors putting in a comprehensive performance.

West Ham themselves have been struggling of late. David Moyes' side has just one win in their last five outings, and a porous defense, which has shipped 12 goals during that period, will be a major concern for fans of the Hammers.

As the two teams take to the field at the London Stadium, much of the pre-match talk is likely to center around Ten Hag's team selection. Will he opt for a bold, attacking lineup, or does he back a more cautious approach, one that could limit the hosts' opportunities but also blunt United's own attacking threat?

Whatever the answer to that question, one thing is for certain – given United's form, this one has all the ingredients of a high-stakes, intense battle, with neither side prepared to give an inch.

In reality, United fans will settle for nothing less than a win. But will Ten Hag's side be able to overcome the inconsistent form and stumble their way to three vital points, or will West Ham capitalize on United's misfortunes to secure a famous victory?

One thing is certain – something needs to change at Manchester United, and it needs to change quickly. Whether Ten Hag is the man to bring that stability remains to be seen, but as the Red Devils' stumble from one poor performance to the next, it is hard to escape the feeling that United's title ambitions are nothing more than a fading memory.