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It has been a disastrous season for Manchester United with the club finishing eighth in the Premier League, their lowest finish in the competition, meaning they will miss out on European football next season.
The chaotic style of play of manager Erik ten Haag is seen by most as the main reason for the downfall of the team. Even when the number of injuries went through the roof, the Dutchman stubbornly continued to play in the same way.
The club’s lack of adequate structure meant the Dutchman had unlimited power and things went from bad to worse during the current campaign before INEOS finally arrived.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first call was to sort out problems behind the scenes, with a new chief executive and sporting director on the way, while Jason Wilcox has arrived as technical director.
Disastrous season mostly due to EtH style
The new co-owners are far from impressed with Ten Haga’s style, with Wilcox insisting the team should not be playing this way and that the new-look team will decide the future style of the club.
The former Ajax manager’s future remains up in the air with reports that Ten Hag is likely to lose his job regardless of the final outcome of the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The club have been linked with a host of managers including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate and Roberto De Zerbi.
Recently, the buzz surrounding the managerial situation has reached a fever pitch, with Mauricio Pochettino once again available and Kieran McKenna set to move from Ipswich Town.
The People’s Person has reported that both managers are open to joining the Red Devils, while the club has also reportedly met with an entourage of the former United coach.
United denies meeting the agents
HITC Football have now revealed that INEOS are furious at the leak and are adamant that no decision has been made regarding the manager’s job with the club fully focused on Saturday’s top-flight clash. INEOS vehemently denied that it had even met with McKenna’s agent.
“HITC understands Manchester United are angry at claims they have held talks with potential successors to Erik Ten Hag ahead of the FA Cup final and insist no decision has been made on the Dutchman.
“The latest reports surround Ten Hag’s future – which the club admitted will be subject to a review and meetings, which will begin next week after the FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester City.
“With that in mind, United have been carrying out their own due diligence and background checks on potential successors – who they already have in mind, but club sources have strongly refused to suggest they have met candidates.”
The report also mentions that with such a big change taking place behind the scenes at the club, the Dutch boss could still stay as it would be a less risky move compared to bringing in someone new.
Damage control
“HITC understands that United are considering allowing Ten Hague to stay in charge this summer, given how much work they have to do on the transfer front as they look to bring in a number of new faces – with a central defender, midfielder, forward and left-back all on their target list.
“The thinking is that keeping Ten Haag would allow them to concentrate on their transfers as well as further integrate new names into their football staff.”
Since the cat is already out of the bag, it’s more like damage control at this point.
Whether this report is credible or not, one thing is for sure, INEOS is looking to the future. One match cannot decide a manager’s fate regardless of the result.
Sir Jim knows what he’s going to get from Ten Hag and there’s no point in pretending that a decision has yet to be made. The Dutchman could have saved his job if he had compromised his style earlier in the campaign. It’s too late now.
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