NEWS of Erik ten Hag’s retention at Manchester United was the talk of the town for Premier League fans last night and this morning.
After a below-par season in the league, the Dutchman has saved his job with a tactical masterclass in the FA Cup against Manchester City.
GettyErik ten Hag is staying on as Man Utd boss[/caption]
ReutersHis win in the FA Cup final appears to have saved his bacon[/caption]
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A two-week end-of-season review led by Ineos bosses Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford followed the Wembley showpiece, before concluding Ten Hag was the best candidate to lead the club forward.
However, recalling what they had seen from Man Utd for most of last season – a defensively dodgy team who often struggled for cohesion in attack – rival fans rejoiced in the news.
Taking to Twitter, Arsenal fan Piers Morgan sarcastically said: “Brilliant!”
One Newcastle fan wrote: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is great news for the other 19 teams in the league.”
Another said: “United are fully in the mud .”
While a fourth wrote: “96 teams competed in Europe’s big five leagues last season. Ten Hag’s Man Utd finished 95th for shots faced.”
Ten Hag put that record down to crippling injuries he was forced to deal without throughout the season, referencing his first season in charge when Man Utd kept the most clean sheets in the league.
Regardless of rivals, the Red Devils faithful were also happy new co-owners Ineos had seen fit to keep faith with the former Ajax boss.
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One fan wrote: “There is a God.”
A second said: “Great decision, we’re winning everything next season GGMU!”
A third said: “Erik Ten Hag under the direction of a specialist footballing structure will be an overwhelming success. I am absolutely adamant of this.”
A fourth added: “Well done to INEOS for handling the whole situation really well. Finally a competent board who have made a good decision breaking the trend of hiring and sacking managers every 2 years.
“They’ve shown belief in the project, and backed the manager. Erik ten Hag’s red army.”
Another said: “WE WONNNNNNN.”
Many others added: “Bald is best.”
Ineos are also said to have opened fresh contract talks with Ten Hag, with the 54-year-old’s current contract running to next June with an option for a further 12 months.
However, going forward he is set to have a reduced role when it comes to transfers.
That means for the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Man Utd as a club will catch up to rivals by having a club transfer plan rather than handing the keys to a new boss every few years.
And a new hardline approach to the market has already seen Man Utd refuse to pay Everton’s £70million asking price for Jarrad Branthwaite.
AlamyThe review led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford landed on Ten Hag as the best candidate[/caption]
SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.