Manchester United are allegedly considering keeping Erik ten Hag as their manager for the 2024/25 season, with reports of United officials having notified representatives of potential replacements that they have not discounted the possibility of keeping Ten Hag for another campaign according to Manchester Evening News.
Recent reports have emerged suggesting that the Dutchman is at risk of being dismissed from his role after a poor season, with Man United having already held talks with the representatives of Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank. Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino are also on the shortlist to replace Ten Hag.
Apparently Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs to buck the trend of United having developed a pattern of sacking managers when results have not met expectations over the last decade and support their managers like Ten Hag.
Finishing eighth in the Premier League, with this being their lowest-ever finish in 34 years, the Red Devils conceivably had a terrible campaign. They also suffered a Premier League-era record 14 defeats.
However, the shaft of sunlight peeking throug the dark clouds is the FA Cup triumph over Man City that has helped Ten Hag’s case as United secured European football for the next campaign.
Regardless, be it either his alleged favouritism with a few players or lack of courage, there is no doubt that the Dutchman needs to improve his in-game management. The injury struggles did not help him as he could not put his best players on the pitch.
Lisandro Martinez’s presence at the back did wonders for United as his leadership and passing ability made a massive difference in how the team played out from the back against Man City.
Admittedly there was no specialist left-back for the second half of the season which left the United head coach with no options but to constantly change his line-up.
There’s no denying that under his guidance United have won two trophies in two years, not having lifted any silverware in six years before his arrival.
This has led to support growing for Ten Hag among the sections of United’s fanbase, a sentiment that Ratcliffe perhaps cannot afford to ignore.