- At the end of last season, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, faced uncertainty regarding his future with the club. Despite this, Manchester United decided to place their trust in the Dutch manager over the summer, even after engaging in talks with other potential candidates.
The decision to stick with Ten Hag came despite the team’s struggles on the field and a less-than-ideal start to the new season, which came after significant financial investment in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window.
During this transfer window, Ten Hag received strong backing from the club’s management, with Manchester United bringing five new players to Old Trafford to reinforce the team. Despite these additions, however, Ten Hag has yet to make substantial improvements to the team’s performance in the Premier League.
The underwhelming start to the season has led to growing speculation about his future at the club, particularly if he continues to struggle to make a positive impact.
The current uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future has fueled discussions about potential replacements. Will Brazier, a sports presenter, has suggested that Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who is currently serving as Manchester United’s assistant manager, could step in as the club’s new head coach before the season ends.
Van Nistelrooy, a club legend and former player, is seen as a potential successor who could restore some stability and bring back the spirit of the club.
Brazier believes that Van Nistelrooy could have a similar influence to that of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another former player who took over the managerial role under challenging circumstances and managed to perform admirably for a period.
Solskjaer initially stepped in as a caretaker manager following the departure of José Mourinho and quickly earned praise for revitalizing the team, ultimately being given the job on a permanent basis due to his early success.
While Ten Hag remains in charge for now, his tenure is increasingly under scrutiny. The club’s decision to retain him over the summer is now being questioned by fans and analysts alike, especially as Manchester United continues to struggle on the pitch.
If Ten Hag fails to turn around the team’s fortunes soon, the pressure to consider a change in leadership will likely intensify. In such a scenario, Van Nistelrooy’s presence on the coaching staff could make him a natural candidate to take over and try to guide Manchester United back to success.