Football News: Erik ten Hag’s Turnaround at Manchester United
When Manchester United were crushed 4-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park early in May, it seemed like the end for manager Erik ten Hag. However, the Dutchman’s fortunes took an unexpected turn with a deserved victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The unexpected triumph meant that Ten Hag had delivered a trophy in each of his first two seasons, a feat no United manager had accomplished before, and something even the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp had not managed. This not only secured European football for the club but also lent credence to the notion that Ten Hag was building something, giving cause for optimism.
“This season is not over yet,” he told them. “First, we go to Brighton, where we travel for three points, and then we go to Wembley. And I promise you those players will give everything to get that cup and bring it to Old Trafford.”
Emboldened by his FA Cup final victory, Ten Hag almost dared the decision-makers at United to find someone better. “If they do not want me, I go anywhere else and do what I did my whole career, winning games and trophies.”
However, concerns remain about the club’s conduct during the “full review” process, which appeared to be a messy and awkward affair. The public pursuit of alternative options was seen as a scattergun approach, and the conclusion to ultimately offer Ten Hag a new contract suggests a paucity of options rather than a great conviction in his work to date.
As Manchester United prepare for the 2023-24 season, which includes competitions such as the Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup, Ten Hag has much work to do to address the issues that have arisen on his watch, including the extraordinary number of shots conceded.
Any continuation of these problems risks this move ultimately being seen as wishful thinking rather than a cold analysis of the facts. However, for now, as unlikely as it had once seemed, Ten Hag remains the man in charge at Old Trafford. If this were to prove a turning point as Manchester United rise again, it would be truly remarkable.
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