Erik ten Hag has delivered on one of his first Man United promises - but it could get him the sack

Following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag is bound to have felt a feeling of frustration and disappointment.

Zeki Amdouni's late penalty sealed a hard-fought point for the Clarets, who have boosted their chances of beating the drop. For United, however, it was another damaging result and another mark against Ten Hag's chances of keeping his job.

Therefore, it was somewhat surprising that Ten Hag, speaking post-match, decided to speak so positively after a result that had officially ended his side's already faint Champions League qualification hopes.

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He told BBC Sport's Match of the Day: "We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment. We are creating loads of chances by playing good football. Every team gives up opportunities. But when it is up to us, it is weird."

Ten Hag is not wrong about the fact United are entertaining; their 34 Premier League matches this season have yielded 103 goals. However, only 52 of them have been in their favour, meaning they currently have a goal difference of just plus one.

For a club that had ambitions of building on last season's third-place finish, it is simply not good enough. United, in 2024 alone, have been involved in 14 Premier League matches that have produced 54 goals, highlighting their basketball, end-to-end style of play.

In that period, either positively or negatively, United have been involved in two 4-3s, a 4-2 and three 2-2 draws. Plus, you cannot ignore the FA Cup clashes with Newport County, Liverpool and Coventry City that served up a total of 19 goals, eight of which were against the Reds.

On reflection, Ten Hag is quite right that United are entertaining to watch. If you are a neutral, or just someone who loves football for the thrill of goals and drama, United are one of the best teams in the world to watch.

However, if you are a United supporter, it can lead you to cover your eyes. There is a difference between being positively entertaining and being negatively entertaining. United, unfortunately, fall into the latter of those two categories.

Their style of play is unsustainable, hence their Champions League qualification hopes are over and they are still not guaranteed a place in next season's Europa League as a backup prize. Their open and expansive style of play leaves them far too exposed and the gap between the defensive line and their midfield is still a problem.

It is why Ten Hag's comments from his very first interview as United manager about wanting his side to be entertaining are in danger of ageing badly.

"I want to build and construct a team who are battling for each other, who are unified and who will get results," said Ten Hag, speaking in May 2022. "Also, we are playing in the Theatre of Dreams. We want to entertain, but in the end, the intention is to play fantastic football. If we can't play fantastic football, we still have to win."

United have been entertaining this season, certainly in recent months, but their chaotic style of play could lead to Ten Hag being axed come the end of the season. United were built on a sound defensive structure last season, often getting results on the board as a result of shutting out the opposition.

This season, United, though injuries have more than played their part in a defensive sense, have tried to become more expansive and fluid, but it has left them more susceptible to danger at the other end. A goals-against tally of 77 in all competitions highlights that fact.

Entertainment is one thing, but naivety is another. United are entertaining but for all the wrong reasons.