It turns out to be Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United will continue with Ten Hag as manager for the 2024-25 Premier League season and could even sign the Dutchman to a new contract.
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Sky Sports reports that United’s lengthy review of last season, which was plagued by injuries and culminated in an FA Cup victory over Manchester City, concluded that Ten Hag is the club’s best option.
The Red Devils finished eighth last season and many expected a change of coach. And the club have been linked to talks with Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate, among others, since the end of the season last month.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS will be left with Ten Hag, who lost so many stars for much of last season, including Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.
But there were also management problems. Marcus Rashford’s productivity fell off a cliff and Ten Hag alienated and eventually dropped Jadon Sancho, who had a successful loan spell at Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League final. Ten Hag also opted for defensive tactics that were unpopular with fans.
There is perhaps no better option than Ten Hag at the moment, and the 54-year-old has that FA Cup. And his transfers — cough, Antonio — were a bigger problem than his system. Who knows? It could work.
