GOAL Despite the recruitment revolution INEOS has spearheaded at Old Trafford, it is evident that the manager still holds a firm grip on the team.
When Manchester United finally took the decision to keep faith with Erik ten Hag last month, they were keen to emphasise that next season would be different to the disaster of a campaign that came before.
Despite finishing in eighth place, their lowest Premier League finish, losing 14 games, and having a negative goal difference, United ultimately concluded that Ten Hag was still the most suitable candidate for the job after evaluating various options and engaging in serious discussions with Thomas Tuchel.
Ten Hag’s triumph in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, which marked the champions’ sole loss in 2024, demonstrated his continued excellence as a top coach. Despite their dismal performance in the league and their early exits from both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, there were valid reasons that explained these setbacks.
The team’s injury record was undeniably the most severe in the league, which played a significant role. Additionally, the club was engaged in a strategic review for half of the season, further impacting their performance. Even after INEOS’ partial takeover was officially announced in February, a transition period persisted, creating less than ideal conditions to operate in.
“At the time, a club source explained that our review had determined Erik’s potential to excel within the new sporting structure we are constructing, and therefore he deserves an opportunity to showcase his capabilities.”
Despite being just a month away from the new season, it seems that Ten Hag’s influence at Old Trafford remains significant. Instead of being undermined by the uncertainty surrounding his future, he seems to be even more confident and empowered.
