Manchester United Sticking With Erik Ten Hag As Manager
Manchester United has come to a decision with many rumors floating over the manager position. They have decided to keep Erik Ten Hag and allow the Dutchman to continue into his third season in charge. He will return to Old Trafford despite finishing a pitiful eighth place in the Premier League in 2023/2024. The Athletic writer David Ornstein confirmed the news a short while ago:
After defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe allowed some time to pass before reviewing the sporting situation more closely. This is a stark change an overwhelming belief that the former Ajax boss was headed for an exit this Summer. At every turn, Ten Hag expressed his defiance to the narrative that his team dropped a level after a first season that left many feeling optimistic. Results, of course, do not exactly help his case. United finished in their lowest Premier League position in their history. They exited the Champions League in embarrassing fashion with their Group Stage hopes dashed before Christmas.
There was also regression from many players. Marcus Rashford, the club player of the year winner last season, looked lost at many turns. Former headliner signing Casemiro regressed considerably from the world-class performances he put in during the opening months of 2022/2023. However, above all else, no one in the squad could stay healthy. Ten Hag relentlessly honed in on injuries as to why the team could never build any momentum throughout the season. In particular, it was the defense that broke down for him. Luke Shaw missed months at a time and youngster Tyrell Malacia did not play a single minute during the season.
He Has A Case
At the end of the day, the Dutchman has brought in two trophies during his two seasons in charge. He broke the nearly six-year long trophy drought that plagued United from 2017 to last January. Furthermore, one of his priorities has been player development. Academy products such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have developed into integral pieces to the starting lineup. In particular Mainoo has jumped into an area of need in the midfield and established himself as a supreme talent. His emergence has been rewarded with a spot in England‘s squad for the upcoming European Tournament.
There were some believing that England manager Gareth Southgate would step in for Ten Hag after the Euro’s. However, I think almost everyone can agree that he would be a certain downgrade. As with every fanbase, there is a group of Red Devils supporters celebrating that Ten Hag’s plan will be given more time. However, there are others lamenting this decision and how long it could potentially set the club back.
Manchester United have not seen the top of the sport in over a decade. However, they are still convinced that Erik Ten Hag has done enough to be the manager that takes them there.
