Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe added another impressive feat to his résumé by completing the iconic London Marathon, crossing the finish line in a respectable four hours and thirty minutes.
However, what should have been the most physically demanding part of his day proved to be relatively straightforward compared to the rollercoaster that awaited him later at Wembley Stadium.
Barely an hour after completing the marathon, Ratcliffe attended Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry, anticipating a comfortable outing for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Initially, the match appeared to be proceeding as expected, with United cruising to a seemingly secure 3-0 lead.
Yet, the game quickly transformed into a tense spectacle as the Championship side mounted an astonishing comeback, putting the Red Devils on the back foot and nearly engineering one of the tournament’s biggest shocks.
By the 121st minute, it looked as though Coventry had pulled off the improbable, only for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to intervene and disallow the goal due to offside, preventing a historic upset.
The match progressed to penalties, where Casemiro’s effort was saved, testing the nerve of United’s squad and fans alike.
Ultimately, the Red Devils scraped through, narrowly securing a place in the final—a milestone marking Erik ten Hag’s second final in consecutive seasons after his Carabao Cup success last term.
Despite reaching another final, questions linger over ten Hag’s stewardship. Since arriving with an impressive record at Ajax, the Dutch manager has struggled to replicate similar success in England.
Manchester United’s campaign has been inconsistent, with early elimination from the Champions League group stages and a current seventh-place standing in the Premier League, 16 points adrift of qualification for European competition next season.
For a club of United’s stature, a top-four finish should be considered the bare minimum, highlighting a gap between expectations and reality.
Injury setbacks to key players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have compounded problems, but they do not fully explain the team’s struggles.
Defensive frailties are particularly concerning, with United conceding seven goals during injury time since February.
Understat data emphasizes the severity, showing Manchester United as the fifth-worst side in the Premier League for expected goals against (xGA), totaling 63.61—only better than teams facing relegation.
Arsenal, by contrast, leads with an xGA of just 25.89, underscoring the gulf in defensive stability.
Offensively, United also underperform, ranking 12th in expected goals (xG) with 50.36, below struggling sides like Everton. Tactical decisions during the Coventry match further fueled concerns.
Ten Hag substituted key dynamic players—Garnacho for Antony and Mainoo for Christian Eriksen—even as Coventry threatened to overturn the deficit, raising questions about squad management and strategic judgment.
Ultimately, while United advanced, the performance laid bare broader issues under ten Hag, exposing defensive vulnerabilities, limited attacking creativity, and questionable in-game management.
For the club’s new ownership, these persistent struggles may prompt serious considerations regarding the manager’s future.
Success in the FA Cup is a consolation, but it does little to obscure the deep-rooted concerns about the team’s trajectory under the Dutch tactician.
