The day after Christmas, the Premier League gave us several gifts with the famous Boxing Day. Today’s game will pit Manchester United against Aston Villa at 9 p.m. at Old Trafford. Third in the championship, the Villans intend to continue their good momentum against the Red Devils (8th), who remain in 4 matches without success in all competitions. Erik ten Hag therefore wants to restart the Mancunian machine this evening. He also asked his players to make more effort in order to save this season… and his head?
The press is already worried about Ten Hag
Arriving on the MU bench in the summer of 2022 after having achieved very interesting things at Ajax Amsterdam, the Dutchman was listened to regarding recruitment. Lisandro Martinez and Antony arrived at his request for example. He also wanted to put in place strict rules of life and was very demanding with all his players. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo also paid the price. But he is not the only one since Jadon Sancho, Harry Maguire or Raphaël Varane had to deal with the moods and strong decisions of ETH. A coach who has always been supported by his leaders.
But this season, Manchester United has had a series of very average performances and disappointments, including elimination from the European Cup. All this doesn’t do Ten Hag’s business. And the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not help his case. The English press is also very skeptical about the coach. This is the case for Ian Ladyman, editor-in-chief of the football section at Daily Mail. “We defended Erik ten Hag, talking about the good things he did at Manchester United and the need to be patient. Right now he looks like a dead man walking towards me now and I hate saying that.”
INEOS will not give gifts
In another article, the English media discussed the future of the technician under contract until June 2025. And clearly, the arrival of the boss of INEOS changes the situation. “The feeling within Manchester United is that the current management are reluctant to take drastic action towards manager Erik ten Hag and are more likely to hand that decision over to Ratcliffe and his INEOS team. Now that the investment has been announced, this safety net is removed.” THE Telegraph goes in the same direction and is already worried about Ten Hag.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at Man Utd puts Erik ten Hag’s future in the spotlight. History has shown that when a new person takes the reins, managers are often quickly shown the door (…) Ten Hag is intelligent and ambitious. He was also demanding on the transfer market. He understands the unpopularity of the Glazer family and it would be understandable if he also thought it was in the best interests of Man United that they (the Glazers) made a clean break with the club.
Another coach already pleases Ratcliffe
THE Telegraph continues: “the fact that United are in so much trouble doesn’t help Ten Hag’s cause, especially after not only exiting the Champions League but Europe altogether. He has plenty of questions to answer about the team – including the alienation of Jadon Sancho – recruitment, training and the direction the team is taking. The key – beyond the obvious need for results on the pitch – will be the infrastructure put in place by Ratcliffe and Ineos around Ten Hag, with the hope that a new sporting director will be appointed to replace director of football John Murtough and probably a new recruiting manager as well. Managing director Richard Arnold has already left.”
For the English media, the coach risks losing power with these changes, he who has often decided for the transfer window. The key will be for him to succeed in getting along with the new management while achieving good things on the field. But the pressure is already on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders. Especially since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his teams already have a coach in mind. This is Graham Potter, free since his departure from Chelsea. His profile really appeals to INEOS, which had interviewed him to take charge of OGC Nice this summer. But the former Brighton coach declined the invitation. It is not certain that he will refuse that of Ratcliffe and MU.
