The season hasn’t started well by any metric, with poor results, performances, a lack of goals, injuries and the rest.
The question on everyone’s mind is about the future of under-pressure manager Erik Ten Hag. Should we keep him or move for a new boss? Stick or twist? Let’s have a look at these two viable arguments.
Twist (sack him)
Any Manchester United team should be comfortably beating the likes of Twente, Crystal Palace and Porto. One opinion remains that the best time to sack Erik Ten Hag was at the end of last season. The second best time to part ways for a fresh start is now.
Manchester United’s 2024 Premier League campaign has had a dismal start featuring a 3-0 loss to Tottenham and a frustrating goalless draw against Aston Villa, the club currently finds itself in an unfamiliar 14th position in the league table. This represents our worst opening to a league season in decades with questions regarding Ten Hag’s suitability to lead the club becoming increasingly pronounced and justifiably so.
Despite early success in his first season, which included a Carabao Cup victory and a top-four finish, Ten Hag’s second term has been marred by tactical inconsistencies, particularly in attack. While the defence has shown some improvement, the offensive output has been lacklustre, with only five goals scored in first seven league matches. It’s always been attack or defence, one or the other. The team’s inability to press effectively, their vulnerability to counter-attacks and a recurring psychological fragility in high-pressure situations has been so frustrating to watch.
The Dutchman’s tactical approach has been stubbornly unyielding. The performances and results glaringly suggest he has not been able to adapt well to the pace and demands of the Premier League. His decisions, ranging from squad rotations to the management of key players like Bruno Fernandes recently have ignited debates about the appropriateness of his methods for a club of United’s stature. Some of his in-game management decision or lack of there of have been perplexing. Into his third season, the manager still maybe doesn’t know his first 11 and lacks a very obvious identity asserting that Ten Hag’s tenure has stagnated. His constant quips about the trophies he’s won has further angered the frustrated fanbase.
The likes of Real Madrid would never tolerate this and the likes of Chelsea have also shown that an instant impact can yield success even in the face of abrupt changes.
Ruben Amorim is one of a handful of names linked with the United job
Stick (keep him)
This would be our 6th manager booted in 10 seasons. Constantly shifting leadership is unlikely to work; without systemic change, success will remain elusive.
United’s current struggles raise fundamental questions: Is the manager the root cause, or are the problems more deeply ingrained within the club’s structure?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United has witnessed numerous managerial changes, yet none have restored the club’s former glory. So much of the discourse surrounding Ten Hag overlooks a crucial fact that United’s troubles did not begin with him, nor will they cease if he is sacked. The club has struggled to reclaim its dominance, cycling through managers with differing philosophies without achieving stability. Each successor, from Louis van Gaal to José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has struggled to establish consistency or identity, often succumbing to the immense pressures within and outside the club. Unsurprisingly, for Ten Hag, these challenges persist.
In this context, maybe it’s not wrong to advocate for patience. We clearly suffer from deeper structural issues that extend beyond the manager. The Glazers’ ownership and the lack of a coherent long-term strategy until fairly recently continue to remain as fundamental reasons behind United’s ongoing struggles. Newly constituted board can’t do a run down of the entire club and work miracles in few months either.
As with previous managers, Ten Hag has faced the embarrassing challenge of underperforming players. Simple yet shocking errors such as a lack of tracking back or misjudged 5 yard passes have plagued performances. This always leads to questions like “Are the players fully behind the manager? Has he lost the dressing room?”. Our players can barely run a full 90 without racking up injuries to be sidelined for a few weeks.
Don’t forget that these issues were equally evident under Mourinho, a manager renowned for his tactical rigor and under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was the nicest bloke around, bringing the best out the team to play free, flowing and fluid football.
Sacking Ten Hag could introduce fresh complications. A new manager would require time, likely years and significant financial investment. He might also want a major chunk of players from the current squad gone which will likely take it’s own sweet time. The very fans now clamouring for change will find themselves in the exact same place, asking for the new manager’s head in 36 months’ time. They may find themselves in a similar predicament if the club’s deeper issues remain unaddressed.
So, while replacing Ten Hag may seem like the easier option, doing so without addressing player accountability and broader operational challenges could merely lead to further instability.
What does the board think?
As a consequence of recent poor performances, the newly constituted board that have arguably backed him more than any other previous manager have began reconsideration. While Ten Hag retains some backing from higher-ups, the coming weeks will be pivotal as the board is taking a cautious stance. After all it’s a business of results and the upcoming fixtures against Brentford and Fenerbahce may ultimately determine his future. If there are no brave and bright performances ultimately leading to results, I’m afraid it might be curtains. The club’s leadership recognises the importance of a long-term vision, yet the mounting impatience among fans cannot be overlooked. How many times have we seen a new manager walk in and show within few days that the current crop of players are not a lost cause? That there is still hope in this season and it needn’t be written off?
There’s also the question of is Ruud good enough to take over short term having recently walked in? What if he does well? Long-term contract? Who are the viable options available out there willing to take up this job that can withstand the pressures and deliver for us?
A new board is operating with old tools and our benchmarks can’t be that low. Is it time for them to prove they mean business by taking the big call? With a shiny new stadium in the making very soon, is it time to find a solution one way or another to stop the rot before we spend more time and resources? No manager has come out of a situation like this before – how much faith does the board have in the Dutchman?
so, stick or twist?
To resolve these issues, the club must cultivate a culture of trust; granting the manager greater control while holding players accountable for their performances. If Ten Hag is allowed the space to succeed or fail without interference, the club can evaluate his tenure with clarity. It also sends a message that the club has a footballing structure that is immune to outside noise and doesn’t panic. That player power doesn’t overrule the clubs success and wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the club’s leadership must also strive for a realistic, pragmatic vision for the future, rather than continually chasing past glories. Omar Berrada who was a pivotal part of City’s modern success along with the likes of Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth recently spoke about Project 2028. If the best in the business believe 4-5 years is the realistic amount of time before we’re up to full speed, isn’t constantly calling for the manager’s head a purely emotional warcry?
No job in the world compares to being at the helm of affairs at Manchester United and it’s sort of learning on the job. The board should determine the style of play while the manager exhibits his flexibility to quickly implement it and robustly adapt and tweak it in accordance to the game and larger situation without being flag on a sinking ship.
Ultimately, it will also reflect poorly on the current board if they recklessly sack a candidate they had rallied behind and built a whole squad around.
Think about it, we’ve already tried the fire and hire method for a decade now. You give the manager the full margin of error to fail till the end of the season. If he turns it around, fair enough and credit to him. If he doesn’t, there’ll be no room for excuses and no one else to blame. The only solution would be to sack him. The message of backing a manager to the hill in complete faith might bear fruits in the longer term and bode well for a club with the reputation of Manchester United. It would be an encouraging step in building a proper footballing culture at the club under the leadership of the new board.
My verdict: Stick. At least until the end of the season!
Hopefully gambling on Ten Hag leads United back to the winning ways of the past
