In a result that will send shockwaves through the Premier League, Manchester United's season plunged to new depths with a shambolic 3-2 defeat to Belgian outsiders Royal Antwerp on Thursday night. Despite a late brace from Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, Erik ten Hag's men delivered a calamitous performance that raises serious questions about their direction.
A Night of Utter Chaos in Belgium
The spectacle was nothing short of disastrous for the travelling Red Devils supporters. United's defence, a recurring nightmare this season, was torn apart by an Antwerp side sitting a lowly seventh in their domestic league. The opening goal came from a catastrophic error, with United's backup goalkeeper Senne Lammens—ironically on loan from rivals Club Brugge—gifting the home side an early advantage.
The calamities piled up relentlessly:
- A defensive horror show that conceded three goals to a team with vastly inferior resources
- Midfield maestro Christian Eriksen forced off with a worrying ankle injury before half-time
- Sofyan Amrabat's reckless challenge earning a second yellow card, reducing United to ten men
- Antony and Jadon Sancho delivering yet another anonymous performance despite their massive price tags
Højlund's Heroics in Vain
The only glimmer of hope came from young striker Rasmus Højlund, whose two late goals provided mere consolation. The Dane's clinical finishing highlighted what might have been had United shown any organisation or fight earlier in the match. His performance stood in stark contrast to the pedestrian displays from his more experienced teammates.
"This isn't just a bad result—it's a systemic failure," one pundit remarked post-match. "When you're being outplayed by a team like Antwerp, there are deeper issues at play."
Ten Hag's Troubles Mount
For manager Erik ten Hag, this humiliation compounds an already miserable campaign. Elimination from the Champions League group stages was bad enough, but this performance against Antwerp suggests the problems run much deeper than poor form. The Dutchman now faces mounting pressure to turn around a season that threatens to spiral into complete chaos.
With crucial Premier League fixtures approaching and the January transfer window on the horizon, United's hierarchy must make difficult decisions. The performance in Antwerp wasn't just a defeat—it was a glaring indictment of the club's current state.
