What’s next for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag? Key Questions Answered | Football news

Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy answers the key questions facing Manchester United and reviews Erik ten Hag’s time at the club.

What’s up with Man Utd’s review of Ten Hag’s tenure?

This is such an intriguing element. We have established that almost since it was confirmed that INEOS would take over football operations, Sir Dave Brailsford has been engaging the players and staff on their thoughts on the problems at Manchester United. Captain Bruno Fernandes, for example, provided a window into these conversations.

One of Jason Wilcox’s key tasks since officially joining as technical director over a month ago has been a more comprehensive audit of the pattern of play, training sessions, the relationship between the coaching staff and the dressing room, as well as how where they interact with other areas of performance such as sports science and recruitment.

The review of Ten Hag’s spell has long been in motion and the manager revealed that his review and discussion with United’s hierarchy has already taken place. He is now on vacation.

Despite already having all the information and Ten Hag believing the assessment has been made, the club say their review will be now take place.

There is a sense that, aware of the comparisons to the way Louis van Gaal was sacked, United do not want to spoil the FA Cup final celebrations or be accused of insensitivity. It would also not be in their best interest to announce any decision without their way forward being completely firm.

There has been enough evidence of clubs publicly messing up their succession planning in recent months – Bayern being the prime example – and United don’t want a repeat of that.

Why are Man Utd meeting potential successors during their review?

They would say they are simply exploring options and doing due diligence. However, if you don’t mind parting ways with your manager, why hire the representatives of the one you would like to replace? And how should he feel knowing the club is doing this while having no clarity on his future?

It’s perfectly normal and understandable that a new management group would want their own choice as manager, but people close to Ten Hag were annoyed by the lack of communication and “personal and professional respect”.

Who are among these options then?

Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, both of which were highly regarded in the past. However, ca Sky Sports reported last month, a source stressed there were reservations that no other big club had made a move for the German once Bayern Munich announced he would be leaving.

It also didn’t escape the decision makers excluding Mainz, all of Tuchel’s tenures were only around two years or less.

The situation at Chelsea saw United spring into action. Pochettino’s availability was unexpected and he has long had huge admirers at the club, but he is also highly regarded by Brailsford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe – and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea’s interest in Kieran McKenna Still, he pushed United to act and meet with his representatives Sky Sports News understands he is set to sign a long-term deal at Ipswich.

His strong affinity and intimate knowledge of United, aligned with his phenomenal work at Ipswich, marked him out as an attractive, if risky, option. It is understood he would not have chosen Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford if he had offers from both.

Thomas Frank also called on United to change its form, building an attacking machine in the Championship towards a more defensive and effective unit to strengthen its Premier League status, its relationship with supporters, the improvement of players such as Ivan Toney, David Raya and Ezri Konsa and exceeding budget and expectations. His direct style of football would suit the team.

Are these very different managers though?

They are, which makes it difficult to get the profile that INEOS is after. And that is not the extent of the options that are looked at, as they properly investigate what and who would be possible.

As it was known months ago, the chance to pinch Gareth Southgate from England after the Euros were scouted and Jean-Claude Blanc’s extensive contact book was used to obtain information on other candidates.

There was the expectation that, given his availability and Pep Guardiola’s claim that he is “one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years”, a conversation would take place with Roberto De Zerbi.

I should point out that there are many at United who have worked closely with Ten Hag and want him to continue. They think he’s dealt with all kinds of turbulence pretty well since he walked in the door and is the least of the club’s problems.

Could FA Cup Final victory save Ten Hag?

United’s hierarchy have been quite adamant that the decision on Ten Hag will be based on his entire time in charge, not the result of Saturday’s performance.

But if it was his last act in charge, is there anything to be done?!

Yes, with another piece of silverware – and doing so against the odds to deny Manchester City the double-double.

It wasn’t just about the result, it was a near-perfect United performance; they were aggressive and dynamic, they were exceptional with their defensive organization and they really preyed on City’s weaknesses.

It was a small window into Ten Hag’s vision to turn them into “the best transition team in the world” and also underlined what the manager has been saying all season: a solid central defensive partnership and having players available for the selection would be a significant thing. the difference. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the center of defense were the platform United built on Saturday.

On a human level, the scenes were also brilliant; seeing Ten Hag happy and having fun with loads of adoration from the likes of Alejandro Garnarcho, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Martinez.

What happens next?

The fact that United are engaging with other managers’ representatives speaks louder than anything else. INEOS have shown, from all the changes they have already made to the structure of football, that they want a new way forward – their own way.

But can they get a deal with the candidate they really want, will it make financial sense, and get supporter buy-in?

Those are all considerations, and if they can’t do that, maybe Ten Hag will stay in the game. But I would refer to the first line of this answer.