Chairman ‘will do everything’ to keep manager amid Manchester United links, plans talks

The so-called “Manchester United way” can be an idea built around end-to-end attacking football and bucketloads of goals. The problem for Ten Hag, though, is that United used to come out victorious in such games.

If the Dutchman’s spell at Old Trafford is indeed brought to an early end by Ineos this summer – with just 66% of his three-year contract up – then Ten Hag’s on-the-ball tactics and his failure to build a team United being able to control or see out games will be one of the nails in his coffin.

Ten Hag’s supporters, however, will point out that one of the managers tipped to take his place saw his own side blow a three-goal lead in just eight minutes on Monday night.

Manchester United admire Bologna boss Thiago Motta

Thiago Motta’s Bologna were 3-0 up and held Juventus to a stunning collapse at the death.

In fairness, this is a rare exception. Bologna had conceded just 27 goals in Serie A until Juventus came to town. They still have the second best defensive record in the division outside of champions Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, the fundamentals that are so key to Motta’s game plan were plain to see on Monday.

Juventus almost conceded the opener in the first minute, with Bologna pressing high, forcing a turnover and almost punishing their visitors. The goal he set Rossoblu The 3-0 scoreline came from a similar approach, luring Juventus into a trap and turning defense into attack in the blink of an eye before defender Riccardo Calafioi scored with an impressive finish.

Two years after his appointment, we still haven’t really established what the “Erik ten Hag Man United team” is. You can’t say the same about a Bologna outfit with Motta’s fingerprints all over it.

Bologna are desperate to keep the United-linked manager

Bologna will be playing Champions League football for the first time next season, meanwhile it’s a testament to the remarkable work Motta has done.

The former Inter Milan, PSG and Barcelona playmaker proved his superb reading of the game remains just as useful in the dugout as he is pulling the strings on the pitch.

No wonder Bologna are desperate to keep hold of their highly-rated 41-year-old tactician.

“We will do everything,” Bologna president Joey Saputo told DAZN after Bologna finished ahead of Juve in third place.

“We will be meeting with him this week to make sure this path continues.”

According to The Telegraph, Motta is one of a number of exciting, modern tacticians admired by Man United’s new decision-makers, Ineos.

They like what they have seen from Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim as well as Michel de la Girona. The latter, who led Girona to the Champions League, performed similar wonders to Motta in Italy with similar degrees of success.

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