REVEALED: Astonishing stat shows just how bad Man United’s defence has been under Erik ten Hag this season

Manchester United’s defensive deficiencies have been brutally exposed in new data from stats boffins.

The Red Devils have endured a mixed and chaotic campaign, losing 10 of their 26 Premier League games, although they sit sixth and remain in the running for Champions League qualification. 

Erik Ten Hag’s team have conceded more goals than any other in the top six (36) and scored fewer than any side in the top half of the table (36). 

They have kept just seven clean sheets in the league this season, while they also conceded 15 times in six Champions League group matches. 

And, in new data via Opta, it has been revealed that United have faced 16 or more shots in a game 14 times, which is the joint-most of any team in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag’s side have faced 16 or more shots in a single game on 14 different occasions

That is the joint-worst record in the Premier League alongside Sheffield United and Luton Town

United are level with Luton and Sheffield United in that metric, two teams that are in the bottom three and who have conceded 51 and 66 goals respectively.

The damning data means that Ten Hag’s side have been exposed in more than half of their league games.

United, Luton and the Blades were closely followed by West Ham and Burnley, with those two teams having faced 16 or more shots on 13 occasions.

Meanwhile, Brentford, Fulham and Bournemouth have given up that many efforts on 10 occasions or more.

Elsewhere, in-form Arsenal’s status as the league’s meanest defence is replicated by the fact they are yet to face 16 or more shots in a single game. 

Arsenal’s 23 goals conceded narrowly edges out Liverpool (25) and Man City (26), but their title rivals have faced significant pressure on occasions.

Pep Guardiola’s side have allowed opponents to have 16 or more shots on two occasions, while Liverpool have given up that amount of efforts four times. 

Meanwhile, speaking on United’s faltering defence on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher questioned their tactics with and without the ball under Ten Hag.

‘We go to the reason why they’re poor defensively and can’t cope with counter-attacks,’ Carragher said.

‘They’ve got no pace at the back and they have a lack of legs in midfield. Another big problem for them is when they’ve got the ball.’

‘These players can’t receive the ball in the positions they take up so actually there is a massive problem for Manchester United when they’ve got the ball.

‘How many times have we seen Manchester United players having to run 40 yards back towards their own goal?’

Carragher spent five minutes dissecting United’s faltering defence on Monday Night Football

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are the only team to yet to concede 16 or more shots in a game

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender, Gael Clichy joined Carragher in his analysis as he added: ‘The compactness of Manchester United is off, a simple pass will eliminate maybe six players of United and what you see is a four against three.’

Carragher replied: ‘The most important thing in defending is being compact, it will not go out of style.’

Saturday’s defeat at Old Trafford moved United’s goal difference back down to zero, which emphasises their defensive struggles. 

Ten Hag’s side face a crunch week, as they take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round at the City Ground on Wednesday, before Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad as they look to keep pace with the top four.