As supporters across the globe continue to dissect Manchester United’s FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic, the tie presented Erik ten Hag with an opportunity to kickstart 2024 with a much-needed win. Given the gap in the league positioning of the sides and the valuation of both squads, it was fair to expect a dominant performance from the Reds as this group of underperforming superstars attempted to reignite their 2023/24 campaign.
With focus swiftly turning to Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Tottenham Hotspur, United occupy eighth position in the top tier, with only Burnley (20) and Sheffield United (15) scoring fewer goals than the 20-time English champions (22). An amalgamation of injuries, off-the-field turmoil and poor performances – from players and manager – have taken centre stage for the Old Trafford giants, with many crying for a change at the top.
But, as is the case in every walk of life, a new year brings new opportunities, and with such, there are plenty of positives for the faithful support of this troubled club. Expectations are always high for the chief of Manchester’s most successful football team, and while several variables aid Ten Hag’s cause, the coming months are considered integral for his future. So, given everything we have just touched upon, what are the key criteria for the manager, the players and the club for the remainder of the season, and what can we expect with the imminent arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
Incomings and outgoings
Given the beast that is the January transfer window, where better to begin? With the impending arrival of the heavily-anticipated INEOS investment in the club, optimism towards the possibility of a fruitful introduction began to soar. But, when you peal back the many layers of this new arrangement, the Premier League must first ratify their arrival, and that could take anywhere between six to eight weeks for conclusion. While INEOS has committed to investing $300 Million in the Manchester club, 2/3 of this will arrive when the purchase is officially completed, with the remaining $100M coming at some stage before the end of the year.
Furthermore, while United’s new ‘white knight’ has stated that the investment is merely the beginning, there has been widespread report that the majority of the initial investment will be aimed at infrastructure, quelling the suggestion that Ten Hag would be armed with an enormous transfer kitty to rectify his troubled campaign. Instead, there will be a ‘get-to-know-you’ period, with priority decisions implemented in the summer. In truth, when considering the facts regarding the introduction of a ‘best in class’ footballing team at the board level, the likelihood of significant January acquisitions is minimal.
Instead, the focus is suspected to shine on outgoings. Front and centre is a desire to dismantle the enormous wage bill plaguing the club for some time. With names like Anthony Martial, Raphaël Varane, Casemiro and the troubled Jadon Sancho commanding a staggering figure approaching £1.2M per week, Financial Fair Play (FFP) is a key target to rectify within the club. Sancho is, perhaps, the greatest disappointment amongst the fan base. His talents at Borussia Dortmund propped him to the summit of European football, but his multi-million-pound arrival has failed to deliver on every level.
Having spent months locked in limbo, training away from the first team and eating packed lunches in solitary, the winger is on the cusp of a loan return to Germany, with his former employer keen to avail of the situation that has grown with his current manager. In this unique situation, a temporary loan move appears beneficial for both parties, with the club eager to return the player to the highest level of competitive action. Lest you not forget, despite your take on this matter, Sancho remains a multi-million-pound asset for the club, and his future may very well hold indicators for that of Ten Hag.
I find this particular matter fascinating. On the one hand, the move could signal a sign of support for the manager because he is the one who decides to keep the player sidelined. On the other hand, this may be a move to push the problem down the pecking order while the powers that be assess the squads second-half of the season. It is always easier to wave goodbye to a manager than a player and having endured the pain of a £100M Mason Greenwood-shaped hole, Sancho supplies a critical piece of the board’s support for their Dutch tactician.
Form and performances
As touched upon above, United’s form has been anything but desirable. Having endured nine defeats in 20 league outings, Ten Hag has amassed more losses than David Moyes managed before being relieved of his duties in 2014. Furthermore, a painful exit from the Champions League invariably spelt an end to European football for the season, with supporters licking their wounds after the most forgettable of group stages.
But, when you take a deep breath and consider both spells, we are experiencing entirely contrasting scenarios. Moyes had inherited a title-winning squad and simply put, failed to cope with the beast. Ten Hag has endured more first team injuries than any side in the league, with continuous changes to his starting XI.
Before we continue, I am not saying the manager is without blame. He has to be held accountable for several selections, tactical decisions and cases of poor in-game management. But I feel, personally, he has earned the right to put ‘his squad’ to the test for the remainder of the campaign. After all, he inherited a unit that had finished 6th, exited domestic competition in the 4th round and embraced three separate managers in the previous season. He galvanised the group, finished 3rd while winning a trophy, losing an FA Cup final and winning 66% of all games.
As we embark on a new year with a barrage of footballing entertainment to digest, the Dutchman is on
the cusp of welcoming a host of crucial stars back to his side. With Lisandro Martínez nearing return
alongside Casemiro, Mason Mount is also readying his boots. Luke Shaw, so often the catalyst for a
menacing attack, is expected back also, as are Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell
Malacia. Given the level of absentees, it is fair to say that the manager has been fighting with one hand
behind his back.
With the joy of midweek European action no longer present and not in the running to defend the EFL Cup, United will line out competitively just twice in January. The lack of fixtures offers ample time for the players to dedicate themselves to the training field and stand up to back their chief. While he is not without blame, he is not the one who is underperforming xG by a factor of eight goals, and while it is his responsibility to motivate his squad, he can only instruct them to fulfil his tactical plans.
That said, this is a results business and very much the reality in the hot seat at the Theatre of Dreams. Ten Hag has recruited an arsenal of players that he is confident in. While he has been without most of them for several spells this season, we are nearing a point where that particular factor will no longer be an adequate excuse. Given the lack of participation in Europe and the EFL Cup, with the availability of many of his stars, supporters are within their rights to demand an upsurge in results and performances.
Conclusion
The one-time perennial powerhouse of England has been bleeding all season. An amalgamation of underwhelming performances and mid-table results has many disillusioned within the fan base. Erik ten Hag is approaching the most critical period in his managerial tenure as he seeks to replicate the splendid setup he cultivated as manager of Ajax. But, within this very synopsis, pages of crucial information are laid bare.
A successful business is only successful because of dedicated planning and structure. At Ajax, Ten Hag could rely on the work of Edwin van der Sar and Marc Overmars while he focused on implementing his philosophies on the field. It is one of the club’s most memorable partnerships and delighted fans of the European game around the globe. Remember, it is because of this chapter in his career that propelled the Dutchman into the cauldron of Old Trafford.
As his current club awaits confirmation of the arrival of the INEOS chief, alongside Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, with the possibility of Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell following afterwards, the Dutchman can look forward to a shared vision and strategic platform to accelerate the growth of his footballing concept. To achieve this, the short-term success of his side must begin immediately, and performances need to improve. Then, and only then, can the global fan base of this iconic club unite to support their manager as they dream of a return to the summit of the footballing landscape.
FA Cup success at the DW Stadium was imperative, but this will stand for nothing if the side cannot replicate the result when they welcome Ange Postecoglou’s men to Manchester at the weekend. With upcoming fixtures against the likes of Luton, Fulham and Wolves in February, a platform for a consistent run of results is available ahead of a mammoth trip to rivals Manchester City in March. Now is the time for Ten Hag and his group of highly-paid superstars to flex their muscles. Fans will no longer tolerate a reactionary performance, and nor should they.
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