The merry-go-round continues to be active at Manchester United as Erik ten Hag faces pressure from supporters.
The 20-time champions have become renowned for consistent alterations to who holds the managerial position at the Theatre of Dreams.
Many supporters have referenced former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in showcasing their dismay in the current manager.
That Ole quote
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer told reporters eight months before his sacking that trophies disguised a club’s progress.
He said: “In the league position you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season that you see how capable you are of coping of ups and downs any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.”
Two months after this his Manchester United side lost the Europa League final in a dramatic penalty shootout to Villarreal.
The treble winner did a tremendous job as boss at Old Trafford but trophies are the bread and butter of any footballing club.
Albeit, what the Norwegian said can be true, the reason managers manage the game, players play the game and supporters support the game is in the hope of acclaiming silverware.
This is something Solksjaer failed to provide during his three-year tenure at the club. Had he won that Europa League final, this current side may be different and he may still be the manager.
Winning the Europa League would have bought more time when he saw his team down tool during heavy defeats to Liverpool and Watford.
This further proves the point of the importance of winning trophies. When it is all said and done and a professional stops doing their profession, trophies are what is remembered.
Erik ten Hag is not immune from criticism
There is no hiding the fact that fortunes must turn should the Dutchman retain his position at the helm of 13-time FA Cup champions.
The latest opportunity for fans to debunk the former Ajax boss saw a sobering defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
Change must occur for this team to excel and start making some ground on its potential. Despite public backing from CEO Omar Berrada, this backing must return results on the pitch.
The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson recently reported that Ten Hag’s position is at risk should the football not improve.
This can come as a statement of the obvious – although the same journalist reported that the same man was to be removed from his position regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final.
Coinciding with the manager and the necessity to change plans on the pitch, players must also change their fortunes.
Players need to pull their weight
Casemiro came in for some heavy criticism in the recent loss before being replaced by Toby Collyer at the interval.
The Brazilian deserved some censure with some arguing the style of play left him in disarray. His wife has since taken to social media to hit back at some of his doubters.
Marcus Rashford is also a player consistently backed by the manager and has not repaid the favour in some time.
The English winger has struggled to regain the form once seen during the 2022/23 campaign. Erik ten Hag has publicly backed him and shows that by consistently choosing him in the starting lineup.
The former Ajax boss has come under scrutiny when choosing Rashford ahead of Alejandro Garnacho. The difference between the two is that Garnacho spent the summer with his national squad and therefore required a period of adaptation.
Garnacho will be reintegrated into the starting lineup, who he replaces remains to be seen. Amad Diallo is in for a crucial season and it is hoped by many himself and the once Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year will occupy the flanks.
Manchester United face a tough run of fixtures on the back of the international break – including trips to Porto and Aston Villa not long after.
This period may see the make or break of Erik ten Hag and his time as manager of Manchester United.
