Tensions at Old Trafford are palpable as Manchester United grapple with the aftermath of an unsettling season under head coach Erik ten Hag. Their recent 3-0 loss to Newcastle United in the League Cup only intensified the clamor for change, prompting speculations about the financial implications of an early termination of ten Hag's contract.
Having secured a League Cup victory in the 2022-23 season and a third-place finish in the Premier League, Ten Hag was ushered in as Manchester United's harbinger of renewed dominance. The club had committed to a £9 million-a-year contract with the Dutchman, slated to run till the summer of 2025. But the current trajectory has taken a dismal turn, making the prospects of his continued stewardship increasingly uncertain.
To put it into perspective, Manchester United's recent performance under ten Hag has seen them lose eight of their last 15 matches across all competitions, a stark contrast to the previous season's accomplishments. The side's latest set of defeats has the distinction of being their poorest opening to a season, with five losses in 10 league games. Such statistics inevitably cast a long shadow on Ten Hag's leadership.
History reveals Manchester United's proclivity for managerial shake-ups since the epochal departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. The cost? A staggering £38 million. Dismissing Ten Hag now would require the Glazers to shell out around £15 million, matching the record severance sum previously paid to Jose Mourinho. By comparison, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit packages paled, tallying at £7 million, £8.4 million, and £7.5 million respectively.
Ten Hag's rapport with his team has also seemingly frayed, especially in the wake of pointed comments he made after their recent 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City. In a rather candid assessment, the coach insinuated that current key players like Bruno Fernandes would never mirror the success of his previous Ajax squad. "We will never play that football. Because those were different players. This is also not why I came here," the 53-year-old lamented.
The ripples of his critique resonated within the team, with several players openly questioning Ten Hag's tactics and choices during the match against Man City. Issues like the positioning of Victor Lindelof and Bruno Fernandes, and the late introduction of striker Antony raised eyebrows, as per English media sources.
With Manchester United now at the eighth spot in the 2023-24 Premier League table, amassing 15 points from 10 games, the upcoming clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage is bound to be watched with bated breath. The game is not just another fixture but could determine Ten Hag's future and Manchester United's strategic pivot as they seek to reclaim their esteemed stature.
