With Manchester United set to embark on a new era under new part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and having endured a difficult season to date, manager Erik ten Hag’s future has become a topic of discussion.
United’s latest 2-0 win over Everton has them three points off Tottenham who are in fifth, whilst faint hope remains for silverware in the FA Cup with a massive tie against Liverpool to come at Old Trafford on March 17.
But after a positive first season for ten Hag in which United qualified for the Champions League, won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final, the team gone backwards this season.
Ratcliffe and his team are already ringing the changes at the club, with Dan Ashworth set to be appointed as the new director of football after his period of gardening leave at Newcastle United is over.
Whether to give ten Hag another season to turn things around is one of the biggest early decisions United’s new owners will face. Here are the factors they will have to consider before deciding either way…
BEING OVERPOWERED IN GAMES
In the recent Manchester derby, Marcus Rashford’s stunning strike proved to be as good as it got for United with City subsequently blitzing through their rivals in the second half.
There were signs of Ten Hag’s game plan working in the first half, but Rashford’s goal forced United into their shell. As a one-off, this could be looked past because of City’s quality but United have been struggling all season when it comes to controlling games.
United have struggled against transitions and Casemiro’s promising form last season has not carried over. The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo has offered some reprieve, but United’s midfield still finds it hard to protect their back four.
The Red Devils conceded 11 first-half shots against Everton on Saturday and by half-time, it meant that Ten Hag’s side had surpassed 450 shots conceded in the Premier League this season. Only last-placed Sheffield United (469) have faced more than their 467.
Their inability to control possession and being too easy to play against is a proving to be a big problem which must be addressed if United are to move forward.
RECRUITMENT
Embed from Getty ImagesThe United boss has had two summer transfer windows to shape his squad and bring in players that are suited to his philosophy, but the big money they have spent under his management has not yet delivered what was desired.
Casemiro – who cost United £70 million- was exceptional for the club last year, but it was clear that he was coming towards the end of his career and his decline has been evident this season.
Antony, another high-profile signing for £85.6 million, seemed like a panic buy from United and the former Ajax man has mustered up just four goals in 46 Premier League appearances. He has only scored once this season, against League Two Newport County in the FA Cup.
The £55m acquisition of Mason Mount has also raised questions. United have needed a combative, all-round midfielder for some time so to pay that much for essentially a more advanced midfielder while Bruno Fernandes is also in the team is truly puzzling. Having said that, Mount has been hampered by injuries and could still be an important player at Old Trafford.
Several deals for stop-gap players such as Sergio Reguilon, Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen, Wout Weghorst, and Marcel Sabitzer have also flatlined, and while goalkeeper Andre Onana has looked better of late, he has yet to truly convince since arriving from Inter Milan.
Rasmus Hojlund and Lisandro Martinez have been the pick of the bunch but even then, they cost the club a combined £128.7 million. It is still undetermined whether they can be the centre pieces for United’s rebuild, especially given Martinez’s injury record.
The recruitment is not all down to ten Hag, but he must take some responsibility for the failings on that front, and raises questions over whether he is the man to lead United’s rebuild.
INJURY CRISIS
Embed from Getty ImagesThis season, Manchester United have reported 47 separate cases of injury and illness with Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, and Alejandro Garnacho the only United players to have avoided a setback so far.
United played 62 games last season and it looks like it is starting to take its toll on the players. There is constant rotation, particularly in defence, and Ten Hag has barely ever been able to set up the team with his strongest back four, with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia all regularly absent.
Rasmus Hojlund’s latest injury has also proved problematic, with no recognised replacement for him up front.
INEOS must take all this into consideration when determining the future of Ten Hag and could offer him another transfer window to freshen up what has become a depleted squad, and to see what he can do with, what they hope, will be a healthier squad next season.
Success in previous seasons
Embed from Getty ImagesINEOS will certainly look at last season’s success as an example of what ten Hag can achieve when he has a healthier squad. Excluding some appalling results, including the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool, United finished in the top four and won the Carabao Cup to end their six-year trophy drought, while also reaching the final of the FA Cup.
The United boss has proven he can produce a successful team, winning four Eredivisie titles with Ajax and making the semi-finals of the 2018/19 Champions League while playing an exciting brand of football.
It is also worth mentioning that ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford has been plagued with drama. He displayed authority and professionalism during the sagas surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho and has clearly instilled discipline into the dressing room.
There is a debate to be had as to whether ten Hag deserves another season under the new INEOS regime to prove his credentials, and changing manager is not always conducive to success, especially at a club like United who have been through a managerial merry-go-round over the last decade.
But pressure has certainly mounted and there needs to be a turnaround next season if INEOS are to stick by him.
