Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group, which bought 25% of Manchester United, will have complete control over the club’s sporting ‘operations.’ This means Ratcliffe and Co. can decide if they want to show the door to Erik ten Hag or continue to back him. His prospects have been in dubiety, owing to a consistently lackluster showing this season. Recently, analyst Danny Murphy pointed out that the Dutch boss won’t be of much help to the Red Devils for bigger success. Meanwhile, Andy Brogan plainly stated, he ‘doesn’t know if ten Hag will see the end of this season.’
The INEOS takeover has surely put a smile on fans’ faces, but to meet their great expectations in the long run, ‘the board will have to do something.’ Perhaps take a drastic step.
Fans’ expectations might get the better of ten Hag, claimed an analyst who made a comparison with Emery’s Aston Villa
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Manchester United’s boss was a talking point in the recent episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE podcast. Soccer player turned analyst Danny Murphy said, “He [Erik ten Hag] is not the manager who is going to take Manchester United to win the League or the Champions League.” Fellow analyst Andy Brogan replied, “I don’t know if he’ll see the end of the season. I think he might be a casualty before the season finishes. Because United are not like Villa in terms of expectations. United fans will still be hoping that they can win the FA Cup, get in to Europe”. Brogan felt that the club was going further behind.
“I think they are getting further and further behind. And I think to appease the fans in the end, the board will have to do something.“, he concluded. Anyhow, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group has not yet mulled dismissing the 53-year-old coach. Rather, the idea has so far been played down by anyone close to the club. Nevertheless, recent rumors have it that Erik ten Hag could part ways if he failed to meet a specific target at the end of the season.
A club legend believes ten Hag is walking on eggshells
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Club veteran, Lee Sharpe told Fruity Slots, that there are no relevant reasons so far to sack Erik ten Hag at the end of the season. However, he thinks the gaffer will invite trouble if Manchester United does not finish the season inside the top six. If he fails to do that, it will put ten Hag under severe pressure from the fans, and eventually the board.
READ MORE: “Solid Performance”- Erik ten Hag Reacts to Manchester United’s Loss Against West Ham
As things go now, the club indeed risks finishing outside the top six. They are now sitting 8th on the table. Besides, the Red Devils take on the league’s superpowers in the remainder of the season, including a Sunday matchup against Tottenham. Erik ten Hag is surely walking on eggshells, and as predicted by Brogan, he eventually might be a ‘casualty.’ What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below.
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