Poor away form, Man Utd likely to lose to Burnley?

Facing Burnley - a newly promoted team - is a good opportunity for Man Utd to earn points after a series of unsuccessful matches. However, having to play away from home brings a feeling of insecurity to Red Devils fans.

Under Erik ten Hag, Man Utd only managed one point away from home against top-nine teams last season. This season, the Red Devils were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal, before losing 0-2 at Tottenham. In Europe, they also lost away to Bayern Munich.

Man Utd's away form under coach Erik ten Hag is not good. (Photo: Getty Images)

However, results are not the only thing that has Erik ten Hag frustrated. Last season, they conceded seven goals at Liverpool, six against Man City, four in the first half against Brentford and two in the first 11 minutes against Aston Villa. They lost to Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. In the defeat to Newcastle in April, Man Utd had just one shot on target.

"Looking at the away statistics, it's a real concern and a negative reflection on the squad. Man Utd clearly have a lot of talented players, but they're relying on that skill and lacking character. Away form has to improve, especially for a team like Man Utd, because of the standard of the opponents around them," former Man Utd captain Roy Keane commented on Sky Sports.

What is Man Utd's real problem?

There is nothing wrong with the way United play away from home. They have more possession away than at Old Trafford. However, since Erik ten Hag was appointed, United have conceded 38 goals away from home. They have never dropped points from a winning position at home, but have dropped 10 points when their opponents have come from behind.

Man Utd have not won any away games this season.

The figures suggest that Man Utd players are still under pressure in important games, and manager Erik ten Hag himself - after taking over a team that had lost six away games in a row under his former boss - believes there is a mental problem at the club.

“One of our targets is to improve away from home, to score more points and play better,” coach Erik ten Hag said ahead of the game against Tottenham last month. “It’s about character, so I encourage the players to show their character in the game.”

When they have the ball, Man Utd players seem to be perfectionists. Despite having a lot of possession, Erik ten Hag's team make fewer passes and crosses than other teams and have a lower expected goals ratio.

Man Utd need to take more risks, play with more freedom and ease like they do at Old Trafford. Manager Erik ten Hag is clearly frustrated. He is the type of manager who does not believe in the home-away effect.

"For me, there is no difference. The pitch is the same size everywhere. There are three referees, a fourth referee. The ball is still a sphere and there is air inside. We have to play football, make it our game and winning away is the next thing we aim for," said the Man Utd head coach.

Thuc Anh (Source: Sky Sports)

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