Should Manchester United sack or keep Erik ten Hag?
It was disheartening to see all the noise in the build-up to Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph focus on whether Erik ten Hag could be relieved of his job as United manager, regardless of the result against distant favourites Man City.
There is still a possibility that could happen, but the Dutchman left Wembley on Saturday with a reason to have a spring in his step, even if United did finish eighth in the Premier League this season.
Since being appointed United manager in 2022, Ten Hag has led the team to three finals in two years as United boss, winning two trophies. There had been a five-year trophy drought, which ran to six by the time we won the League Cup in February 2023.
That’s why I found his response to a reporter’s question about his future fittingly cheeky, but honest at the same time.
“If they don’t want me anymore, I will go somewhere else and keep winning games, winning trophies,” Ten Hag said, as per Sky Sports.
Critics used trophies as a stick to beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because he missed out on that Europa League chance after a final I have attempted to blank from my memory. They can’t hit Ten Hag with that stick.
Will Manchester United stick or twist?
That is the big question as we head into a week in which United officials will conduct a season review before concluding Ten Hag’s future.
On Friday, word on the grapevine got around that Ten Hag was likely to be dismissed after the final. I don’t think anyone expected United to win at Wembley, but it remains to be seen if that puts a spanner in the works.
Ten Hag’s side delivered a performance full of spirit and hunger. BBC Sport duo Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were both obnoxious with the manager in his post-match interview, laying into him over previous performance and trying to spoil the occasion. Some will say the criticisms were fair. Why haven’t United shown the same desire, commitment and willingness to win all season? These are all valid questions but I revert to the injuries and wonder where we would have finished with those players available. It was by some considerable distance United’s best performance of the season.
Ineos aren’t naive. They know there would be significant backlash from fanbase, if they sack Ten Hag. It would leave too many unanswered questions, and unfinished chapters. While it would be difficult for the club to sack Ten Hag now, after winning two trophies in his first two years, does it not give Ineos an unnecessary headache in their first summer at the club?
I would be more understanding of Ineos wanting to appoint their own man to head their operation in the dressing room, but not when none of the current candidates are outstanding.
Ten Hag has given United fans some fantastic moments in his two years at the club. To sack him now, after winning the FA Cup, would be the wrong call.
Bald is best.
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OK, F.A.Cup won – excellent. Including victories over Scousers, and wossname in the Final. Brilliant.
But, only six victories are needed to triumph, and we began against Wigan, initially lost a 2-goal lead against Newport (Newport!!), struggled against Forest, and damn nearly came an almighty cropper against Coventry. Just say we’d lost to Coventry – and we couldn’t have come much closer to doing so – then all we’d be looking at is a dismal 8th place finish, early surrender of the League Cup, and humiliation in Europe. All under a Manager who professes to be unconcerned by teams having dozens of chances against us. These are what INEOS are going to be considering in the coming days. They *might* be swayed by the Cup win, but then the new Season starts, United lose their first 2 matches (which, let’s face it, would surprise nobody) and all the Managers currently available will by then have new employment.
I’ll reiterate that I wanted ETH as Manager, and am disappointed at the way it’s panned out. But injuries to key players are going to happen again and we need a Manager who can deal with that; not just say “injuries, injuries” as an excuse for feeble performances.
And, sadly, I don’t think Ten Hag is that man.
David, you are sounding like Alan Shearer: https://strettynews.com/2024/05/27/fa-cup-final-analysis-why-united-didnt-play-like-that-all-season/
You have the advantage of me: I don’t listen to Alan Shearer.
Lucky you.
We’ve had poorer seasons than this, won an FA Cup and been very, very grateful we stuck with that particular manager. Three finals and two trophies in his first two seasons, having inherited a team/club that was a total mess. EtH is not rubbish. And a revolving door policy builds nothing.
Agreed, Dunk.
a quick glance at the PL tables of recent times, tells us that ETH really didnt pick up a total mess at all.
united came 2nd, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 6th – so its complete and utter nonsense to suggest that united were a club in a mess – what entitlement from the ETH inners. i also wnat to add that that was mainly with a a manager who hasnt been employed since, ie, the football world thought/thinks ole wasn’t very good with the players that he had.
lots of revisionism going on here. fact is united have decent players and if they had worse players they would have finished a damn sight lower in the table than 8th.
yes injuries have been bad but maybe change the style of play, play less open? just a suggestion. but nope lets just let every team have the ball and as many shots as they like – whoops palace put 4 past us. surprise.
only sheff utd conceded more shots than united in the top 5 leagues across europe. if united scored many goals then maybe it would be worth it, but ETH has delivered 57/58 goals – pathetic numbers and don’t even look at the GD!
basically under ETH united can’t score (nor create) and they can’t defend, so he obviously isn’t doing his job properly – and gladly for this fan at least he will pay for it with his job.
also the football is so bad it is unbelievable!