- Why Manchester United Might Not Consider Sacking Erik ten Hag Till At Least January
Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has recently come out to back manager Erik ten Hag after a rough start to the season. United opened their Premier League campaign with a win at home to Fulham. Then Erik ten Hag’s men lost away to Brighton and Hove Albion, and just before the international break, they lost at home to Liverpool 3-0.
These results kickstarted talks of crisis around the club again, putting the Dutch manager under immense pressure once again this campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United team finished 8th last season, but due to their FA Cup final win, they were able to secure Europa League football. This earned Erik ten Hag a contract extension at Old Trafford and the backing of new investors INEOS.
Why Manchester United Might Not Sack Erik ten Hag Now
Manchester United and their new technical and sporting directors conducted a season evaluation after the FA Cup final. They conducted last season’s evaluation to see if Erik ten Hag deserved to continue at the club or to get a new manager.
They decided to continue with the Dutch coach, and also give him a contract extension. The club also consulted him on positions they needed to strengthen in the summer, and that led Manchester United to invest over £200 million this summer on new players.
Sacking Erik ten Hag now might kickstart another merry-go-round under new investors INEOS. Bringing in a new manager means, some players might be deemed unfit for a new system, including new signings, and that could lead to Manchester United selling these players at lower prices which isn’t good for sustainability.
Also, there is no guarantee that a new manager will immediately succeed at the club too. Fans might also have to be patient under a new manager and deal with initial bad results before things change.
It makes perfect sense for Omar Barreda and the United hierarchy to retain their faith in Erik ten Hag despite a difficult start. The club can reevaluate mid-season, or if the club continues to lose with no visible improvement, but for now, it is just too early.
