Cliffhanger: Why Erik ten Hag Could Soon Win Manchester United the Premier League Title

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make a final decision on Erik ten Hag’s future in the coming days. But why not give Ten Hag another chance? After all, he has just won the FA Cup, outwitting Pep Guardiola in the process. The Dutchman’s tactical acumen was on full display as Manchester United defeated the best team on the planet.

Manchester United celebrate their FA Cup victory

Of course, United’s campaign has been poor overall - a worst-ever eighth-place Premier League finish, a negative goal difference, and finishing bottom of their Champions League group. But isn’t winning silverware what football is about? The vast majority of United fans would have preferred a trophy to Champions League qualification, given a straight choice.

 Erik ten Hag celebrates with his players

Ten Hag’s future is in doubt, but why not change his mind on the basis of the FA Cup win? Isn’t winning silverware what football is about? The managerial situation would be different if Ratcliffe, United’s new football supremo, had a clear vision for the club’s future, with a successor to Ten Hag identified and readied for arrival.

 Manchester United players celebrate their FA Cup victory

Instead, Ratcliffe and Co have been sounding out every Tom, Dick, and Harry - from Mauricio Pochettino to Kieran McKenna to Thomas Tuchel to Thomas Frank. Meanwhile, Ten Hag, with two trophies in as many seasons, is left swinging in the wind.

 Sir Jim Ratcliffe congratulates Manchester United players

There is no bus parade for Erik, just a long wait on a sunbed for the likely arrival of the Spanish archer. Only Manchester United could manage to win a major trophy in impressive style and finish the weekend looking a complete shambles.

 Manchester United fans celebrate their FA Cup victory

But that is where we are thanks to Ratcliffe and Co managing to look simultaneously heartless and hopeless in their treatment of Ten Hag. There was no name-check for the manager in the Ineos billionaire’s triumphant post-final statement. Just as there has been no backing for Ten Hag in the five months since Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in United and took over their footballing operation.

 Erik ten Hag speaks to the press after the FA Cup final

Ten Hag was admirably strident in his post-match comments after the final. He has taken a huge amount of flak all season, from ex-players in TV studios and the likes of me, so why not give some back? To paraphrase - if United don’t want him, he’ll go somewhere else and win trophies as he’d always done; Roy Keane failed as a manager (a brave thing to say to Keane’s face) and the club was a mess when he arrived.

 Manchester United celebrate their FA Cup victory

All fair points, well made. And while no manager ever wants to rely on the sympathy vote, Ten Hag certainly gained the sympathy of a vast swathe of United supporters this weekend - as a winner, who is being openly disrespected by his bosses.

 Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Erik ten Hag

Sir Jim and his new regime were welcomed as liberating heroes by United fans in mid-season - just as anyone lessening the influence of the Glazers would have been. Yet he has torched much of that goodwill with his shabby handling of Ten Hag’s future.

 Manchester United look to the future

The pros and cons of Ten Hag’s reign have been well argued. His first season was good, his second season was ravaged by an injury crisis, especially in defence. But the £85.5million signing of Antony has been a disaster, the handling of Jadon Sancho - who will contest Saturday’s Champions League final on loan at Borussia Dortmund - is an embarrassment, while United have too often lacked an attacking gameplan.

 Manchester United aim for the Premier League title

Still, despite such a dismal league campaign and despite so many issues remaining within the squad, United have been presented with a chance to make a genuine challenge for the Premier League title before long. After his arrival, Ratcliffe made a ballsy statement about wanting to ‘knock City and Liverpool off their perch’, which was met with widespread derision. But the exit of Jurgen Klopp from Anfield, and Guardiola’s likely departure from the Etihad next summer, will allow the rest of the Premier League’s wealthiest contenders to hold more realistic title ambitions.

 Manchester United aim high

The opportunity is there for Ratcliffe as long as he identifies the right manager. And could that manager be the bloke who has just won him the FA Cup?