At the conclusion of last season, Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, found himself in a precarious position with the club, as questions arose about his future. Despite these concerns, the club’s leadership opted to stand by the Dutchman during the summer, even after holding discussions with other potential managerial candidates.
This decision to retain Ten Hag came amid the team’s struggles on the pitch and a somewhat disappointing start to the new season, which followed a significant investment in strengthening the squad during the summer transfer window. Manchester United made considerable financial outlays to bring in new players in hopes of bolstering the team’s performance. However, despite these efforts, Ten Hag has yet to achieve meaningful progress, and the team’s performances in the Premier League have continued to fall short of expectations.
During the summer, Ten Hag enjoyed substantial support from the club’s management, with five new signings arriving at Old Trafford as part of efforts to revitalize the squad. Nevertheless, the results on the field have not reflected this backing, leading to mounting speculation about Ten Hag’s ability to lead the team forward. His struggles to deliver consistent results have led to growing uncertainty surrounding his position at the club.
This uncertainty has prompted discussions about potential managerial replacements. Will Brazier, a prominent sports presenter, has suggested that Ruud Van Nistelrooy, currently an assistant manager at Manchester United, could be a viable option to take over the head coaching role before the end of the season. Van Nistelrooy, a legendary former player for the club, is viewed as someone who could restore stability and reinvigorate the team’s identity.
Brazier has drawn comparisons between Van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another former player who took on the managerial role during a turbulent period for the club. Solskjaer was initially appointed as a caretaker manager following José Mourinho’s departure, but his early success in rejuvenating the squad earned him the role permanently. Solskjaer’s initial impact was positive, and some believe Van Nistelrooy could have a similar effect if given the opportunity to manage the team.
For the time being, Ten Hag remains in charge of Manchester United, but the pressure is mounting. Fans and analysts are increasingly questioning the club’s decision to retain him over the summer, especially as the team continues to falter. If Ten Hag is unable to turn the team’s performance around soon, calls for a change in leadership will likely grow louder. In that case, Van Nistelrooy, already embedded in the coaching setup, could emerge as a natural candidate to take over and attempt to lead Manchester United back to success.
