Gary Neville thinks Manchester United may have already decided on Erik ten Hag’s future, regardless of the club’s Champions League qualification.
Manchester United’s recent four-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an abrupt end with a 2-1 loss to Fulham, leaving them eight points adrift of the top four. Despite the revised Champions League format making a fifth-place finish a potential qualification route, Gary Neville, speaking on Monday Night Football, expressed concerns about the team’s playing style under manager Erik ten Hag.
Neville emphasized the confusion in the club’s philosophy under Ten Hag and suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new minority shareholder leading football operations, might have already decided on the manager’s future. The involvement of key figures like CEO Omar Berrada and a potential new hire, Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, could prompt a quick decision, possibly independent of Champions League qualification.
Citing Manchester United’s historical recruitment challenges and late decision-making, Neville speculated that the club may have reached a conclusion about Ten Hag, possibly tying it to Champions League success. He highlighted the need for timely and decisive actions, contrasting it with the club’s past recruitment struggles.
Neville criticized the team’s lack of a clear philosophy, unlike counterparts like Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. The inconsistency in performance, demonstrated by more losses this season than the entirety of the previous one, raised concerns about the team’s direction under Ten Hag.
As the season progresses, Neville believes Ten Hag will be judged not only on results but also on performance levels and the overall sense of the club moving in the right direction on the pitch. Inconsistencies in performance, according to Neville, pose a significant challenge for the manager.
Man Utd up next against the mighty City. What is in stake for the once glorified champions ?
As Manchester United gears up to face rivals Manchester City on Sunday in a high-stakes clash, Gary Neville hopes for a performance that reflects “respect” despite the recent setback against Fulham. Despite the inconsistency that has characterized their season, Neville points out that United is still in the race for a Champions League spot, trailing behind Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Reflecting on their unpredictable nature, Neville acknowledges the challenge of watching United at times but highlights the significant opportunity they missed against Fulham. Had they secured a win in that fixture, they could have closed in on Tottenham in the standings. The upcoming match against Manchester City, according to Neville, now carries a bit of a “free hit” nature, given the points they’ve amassed.
As anticipation builds for the Sunday showdown, Neville hopes for a performance from Ten Hag’s side that not only chases crucial points in the standings but also showcases a sense of respect against their formidable rivals. The outcome of this clash could have a pivotal impact on United’s aspirations for a coveted Champions League spot.
Recent positive results for Manchester United under Ten Hag might have masked underlying issues in their defensive system, as explained by Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football. Since Ten Hag’s arrival in 2022, United has faced 20 or more shots in a Premier League game 12 times – a figure double that of Guardiola’s Man City and Klopp’s Liverpool, who have spent a combined 13 more years with their respective clubs.
This season alone, United, under Ten Hag, has encountered 16 or more shots on 14 occasions, a number shared only with Luton and Sheffield United, both in the relegation zone. Carragher points out that despite recent good form, the team’s defensive approach is unique, attempting to press high with a deep block simultaneously – a strategy he deems impossible and a significant factor in their inconsistent defensive performances.
The rift between Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and player Marcus Rashford appears to have deepened, with reports suggesting that the two are barely on speaking terms. Tensions escalated after Rashford was reportedly spotted partying until the early hours in Belfast last month when he was expected for training later that day.
Despite Ten Hag claiming to have moved past the incident, the relationship seems strained. Staff at Manchester United are now expressing concerns that the manager-player dynamic has irreparably broken down, especially as Rashford struggles to replicate his stellar form from last season.
It looks difficult to see ETH beyond this season as his cards are falling, a lot of expectations went down the drain. His huge investments in the market also didn’t help to bring back glory for Man Utd.What’s up in the Future only ManU Board and Sir Jim Radcliffe knows but it certainly looks as if a decision has already been made.
