Erik ten Hag's encountered some truly tough challenges during his short tenure as Manchester United manager – but he's certainly made some big mistakes of his own.

The Dutchman has tried to stamp his authority on the club and the team, and won't allow anyone to step out of line. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo or Jadon Sancho.

And while he can be respected for attempting to bring some law and order to the Old Trafford dressing room, as he builds a new culture behind the scenes, there are some calls Ten Hag has made that are just baffling under any circumstances. It's now getting to the point where fans are really beginning to question the gaffer.

Why didn't they sign Declan Rice? Who thought Andre Onana was a worthy replacement for David de Gea? And what was the expectation with giving Bruno Fernandes the armband?

READ MORE: David Beckham didn't want to quit Man Utd – Sir Alex did and 'wouldn't speak to him'

READ MORE: 9 things learned about Beckham on Netflix – 'Affair' resentment, Hoddle hatred, Posh Spice chants

Daily Star Sport looks at the costly clangers that have been made since Ten Hag's arrival from Ajax a little over a year ago.

Accepting the job in the first place

Manchester United used to be a club that was difficult to say 'no' to. But not anymore.

And that's what Ten Hag should have said when club bosses went to him with their begging bowl, pleading for him to ride to the rescue. For some reason he thought managing Bayern Munich's reserves and winning titles with Ajax qualified him for the role of United saviour. He thought wrong.

Like some of those before him, Ten Hag is now getting chewed up and spat out by United, where he's looking seriously out of his depth.

Replacing De Gea with Onana

Andre Onana
Andre Onana had a stinker on Tuesday night

Did Ten Hag really sanction almost £50m of the club's coffers to be spent on Onana? The goalkeeper has been at the club two minutes following his move from Inter Milan, but has already produced some timeless blunders which suggest he's nowhere near good enough. Not to mention the fact he's reversed his decision to retire from international duty.

De Gea could be prone to mistakes too at times, but he was also brilliant as well and his experience is being missed. There is nowhere to hide at United when things as going badly, especially for keepers.

What do you think is the worst decision to date from Ten Hag? Let us know in the comments section.

David de Gea
Manchester United's goalkeeping department has not been fixed, even with the departure of David de Gea in the summer

Onana could be gone for up to seven weeks when the African Cup of Nations' takes place. And on current evidence, he won't be missed.

Making Maguire a scapegoat

Maguire has started one game this season, in the Carabao Cup. A game United won, while keeping a clean sheet.

But Ten Hag is not having the England international, and prefers to pick Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, irrespective of his side's humiliating results. But his treatment of Maguire shows how stubborn and obstinate Ten Hag can be.

If he has no intention of giving Maguire a chance, or believes the centre back has no future at Old Trafford, he should have let him go in the last transfer window. He should have told his bosses to give Maguire the compensation his contract entitled him to.

Harry Maguire on the Manchester United bench
Harry Maguire has hardly figured for Manchester United this season
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch the Champions League here
Catch every minute of the Champions League 2023/2024

TNT is the only place you can watch all the action from the Champions League this year. You can see every game from the group stage right through to the final as Manchester City look to defend their crown as the newest kings of the World's biggest and best football tournament.

£29.99 a month

TNT Sports

Failing to sign Declan Rice

If United remain a big draw, how come Ten Hag couldn't persuade Rice to join the club this summer? Instead, Rice chose Arsenal, United's bitter rivals.

If there was a team's midfield which needed the youthful brilliance of Rice, it was United's. In the meantime, Ten Hag appears content to plough on using Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, who have a combined age of 62.

Declan Rice signing for Arsenal
Declan Rice signed for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal ahead of Erik ten Hag's Manchester United

Both remain decent players, but are past their best. Where's the foresight from Ten Hag when it comes to putting in the foundations for a successful team of the future?

Making Fernandes United captain

What was Ten Hag thinking? Leading United comes with huge responsibility – and Fernandes is nowhere near a strong enough leader. Watch his performance in the seven goal drubbing at Liverpool last season and you'll see what I mean. The Portuguese was a disgrace that afternoon.

Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has not been a successful captain thus far at Old Trafford

Forget Bryan Robson, Fernandes was about as tough and intimidating as Laura Robson. If Fernandes is the example for others to follow when it comes to going into the trenches, then it's little wonder United are in the mess they now find themselves in.