Erik ten Hag faces make or break week with crucial tests against Tottenham, Porto and Aston Villa on the horizon as goal-shy Man United’s struggles leave Old Trafford chiefs with decision to make

“We haven’t lost, but it feels like a loss,” was the reflection of Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen after a disappointing draw in the Europa League opener on Wednesday evening.

The Dutchman scored, but was caught in possession for the equalizer, as FC Twente celebrated gaining a point at Old Trafford.

As the Dutch team touted an impressive result against one of the league favourites, familiar noises began to emerge from the Man United camp.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag agreed with Eriksen’s worrying assessment that Twente looked like they ‘wanted more’.

It’s the kind of statement that Ten Hag would have desperately avoided coming into the season, with his position having been under intense scrutiny for much of last season.

Despite Ineos remaining loyal after the season review, it was hardly an overwhelming vote of confidence in Ten Hag.

The club’s minority owners will have wanted to see early signs of tangible progress after agreeing a £200m summer investment to strengthen Ten Hag’s squad.

For example, Man United fell woefully short of their rivals with their goal return last season.

A measly return of 57 goals in 38 games, poor compared to their rivals.

Man City and Arsenal both finished the Premier League season with over 90 goals, while Liverpool and Newcastle did so in the 80s. Aston Villa, Tottenham and Chelsea also recorded above 70.

The problem threatens to continue this season, with Man United having scored just five goals in their five Premier League matches. Three of these came in one match against a Southampton team expected to battle the drop.

A lightning-fast start to the season would have increased confidence in Ten Hag’s leadership, but the Red Devils have opened the season with a mixed return of three wins from seven games in all competitions.

Former Man United midfielder Owen Hargreaves expressed his concerns after the draw against Twente, suggesting the club have not defeated anyone of significance so far this season.

The Red Devils beat Fulham 1-0 on the opening day of the season, while their 3-0 win over Southampton comes with the caveat that the newly promoted side themselves have earned just one point from five games.

Although a 7-0 defeat to League One side Barnsley in the Carabao Cup was seen as a ‘perfect night’, the result was unlikely to change the outcome too much when you consider Man United’s progress.

The damaging 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool last month was a stark reminder of the gap Man United must close to become a title contender again.

Ten Hag had pointed to mitigating factors after the defeat at Liverpool, with injury absences including new signing Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund, as well as the late signing of Manuel Ugarte.

However, questions remain over the extent of Man United’s improvement despite the summer activities. While it may still be too early in the season to make a judgement, Man United’s problems last season mean that Ten Hag has a much shorter starting lane.

A real assessment of where Ten Hag’s side stand will likely come next week, when Man United face two direct rivals in the battle to secure Champions League football next season.

Tottenham head to Old Trafford on Sunday in the standout match of the Premier League weekend, with the two teams currently sitting side-by-side in the table.

The following week, the Ten Hag team travels to Aston Villa, who have started the season in an impressive manner and want to repeat their performances from last season under Unai Emery.

Poor results in both matches mean Man United may already be playing catch-up with the teams expected to challenge for Champions League qualification. It would likely lead to renewed questions about whether Ten Hag is the man to take the club forward.

The matches come either side of a Europa League match against Porto, perhaps the Red Devils’ toughest test of the new competition format.

Man United’s European form is another area that needs massive improvement. The draw against FC Twente capped a poor run, with Ten Hag’s side having won just one of their last nine matches in European competition.

Porto, who like Man United will consider themselves a club at Champions League level, will undoubtedly be a difficult task at the Estadio do Dragao.

While the extended competition phase offers room for error, Man United will need to correct their recent European record and show why they can be Europa League contenders.

Hargreaves suggested that while Man United have shown they can win one-off games, Ten Hag’s side must find ways to get results to prove they are a top team.

“The games are incredibly difficult because all these teams can play and there are some really difficult teams away from home,” Hargreaves said.

‘When you play for a team like Man United you have to rise to the occasion.

“They have done it in some one-off games when they have played against it, but they have to find solutions. Erik sticks his neck out every time and is honest.

‘But the fact is they need results, that’s what it’s all about when you’re a top team and you get results.’

A successful week could provide the perfect boost to Ten Hag’s reign at Man United, but a disastrous week would raise familiar questions about his future.