With all the big transfers that Manchester United undertook this Summer Transfer Window, one would actually think that the 2024/25 season would finally be theirs for the taking. But nope. It seems that Erik Ten Hag, as soon as he takes 2 steps forward with this club, then takes 3 steps backwards. And this pattern is quite visible in Manchester United’s case.
It’s now been 2 and a half years since Erik Ten Hag took up the Manchester United job. In those 2.5 years, United have only won 1 Carabao Cup and 1 FA Cup. In Erik Ten Hag’s eyes, that’s “more trophies than any other English Club bar Manchester City”. But have the Red Devils really set the standards so low?
Recently, the former Manchester United legend sat down with Cristiano Ronaldo on his YouTube channel, where both former United teammates discussed the Mancunian Club. Ronaldo stated, “The Coach, they said they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.” In Ronaldo’s eyes as the coach of a club like Manchester United, you CANNOT say it. And well, that’s true.
That’s what the champion’s mentality is all about. To believe that you can win everything. How else do you think Manchester City start their seasons? Or the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich? Even in their darkest hours, clubs the stature of Manchester United have only one thing in mind. That being winning each and every trophy possible.
With a negative mindset even before the season begins, how do you expect players to compete well? That’s what Manchester United’s problem has been this season. 7-0 against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, followed up by a 0-0 against Crystal Palace and then a 1-1 draw against FC Twente in the Europa League.
With Manchester United, it’s always a question of “where will they go from here?”. And it seems like nothing has changed much under Erik Ten Hag. Yes maybe they should still trust the process, but after the kind of transfer window United enjoyed and with everyone at his disposal and no major injury crisis at the Club, ETH doesn’t really have a lot of excuses to make.
It won’t be surprising if Erik Ten Hag doesn’t stay around for much longer at the helm of Manchester United. Do you think Manchester United should move on from Erik Ten Hag? Let us know in the comments below.
