May 24th 2024.
It seems that Erik ten Hag's time at Manchester United is coming to an end. Despite the upcoming FA Cup final, it appears that the Dutchman's tenure at the club will be over. This comes after a disappointing season for United, both domestically and in Europe, which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League. Although this weekend's final could have been a chance for Ten Hag to win over Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, the new owners seem to have already made up their minds and are expected to end the 54-year-old's two-year spell at the club.
As Ten Hag prepares for his final game, there are four main reasons why United have decided to part ways with him. Firstly, there have been some unwanted records broken under his leadership. After a successful first season where United won the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final, and returned to the Champions League, expectations were high for the team to push on this year. However, instead, there has been a slow and painful decline, leaving the club back at square one, if not worse off than when Ten Hag took over in 2022. The team has suffered 14 defeats in the league, the highest in the club's history, and their eighth-place finish is the lowest since 1990. Their defence has also been a major issue, conceding 84 goals in all competitions, the most since 1976/77.
If United manage to win the FA Cup on Saturday, it may salvage some pride for Ten Hag, but it's hard to ignore the backward steps the team has taken this season. Another reason for his departure is the lack of a clear playing style. When Ten Hag was brought in from Ajax, it was expected that he would bring a coherent tactical set-up to the team. However, two years into his time at Old Trafford, fans are still unsure of his vision for the team. The signings of Andre Onana and Mason Mount last summer hinted at a more attacking and possession-based style, similar to Ajax's, but this has not materialized. In comparison, Ange Postecoglou has already begun building a free-flowing and exciting team at Tottenham after just one season, highlighting the lack of tactical cohesion at United under Ten Hag's leadership.
Injuries have also been a major issue for United this season, and Ten Hag must take some responsibility for this. At Ajax, he rarely rested his key players, and this trend continued at United. Bruno Fernandes started 57 out of a possible 62 games last season, and only Casemiro was rested due to suspension. This, coupled with a demanding pre-season, has led to a string of injuries for the team. While Ten Hag cannot be blamed entirely for these injuries, it's clear that his reluctance to rotate players has played a role in the team's struggles.
As United's new owners begin their search for a new manager, the race for Kieran McKenna is heating up. The current Ipswich Town manager has achieved back-to-back promotions from League One and is now attracting interest from both United and other clubs such as Chelsea and Brighton. McKenna, who previously coached United's Under-18s and was an assistant to Jose Mourinho, is a name that has also caught the attention of the club's new hierarchy. It's possible that the decision to end Ten Hag's time at the club was partly influenced by the availability of other attractive managerial options, and United didn't want to miss out on McKenna's services. The Northern Irishman may be tempted by a return to his boyhood club, but United will need to act quickly to secure his appointment before other clubs do.
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