In the end, Erik ten Hag came along.
Manchester United have reportedly planned to keep Ten Hag as manager for the 2024-25 Premier League season and could potentially sign the Dutchman to a new contract.
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Sky Sports report that United have taken a lengthy look back at last season, which was plagued by injuries and saw them beat Manchester City in the FA Cup, and have concluded that ten Hag is the club’s best option.
The Red Devils finished eighth last season with many expecting a change of manager and the club have been linked with talks with both Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate since the season ended last month.
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos side will likely opt to field Ten Hag instead, having been without a host of star players for much of last season, including Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malasia, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.
But there were also management issues: Marcus Rashford’s production plummeted, ten Hag alienated and eventually sold Jadon Sancho, who reached the Champions League final on loan at Borussia Dortmund, and ten Hag also adopted defensive tactics that were unpopular with supporters.
There’s probably no better option than Ten Hag at the moment, the 54-year-old has won the FA Cup before, and his departure (clear throat, Anthony) was a bigger problem than his system. Who knows. It could work out.
