Woah! Manchester United‘s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final was everything but expected. The result was shocking to say the least and the most pleasant of ways to end a dreadful campaign. The team finally looked like a squad of real players and every one of them bought in. The tactical set up was on point and player discipline was next level. I’m sure ten Hag has wanted his side to play this way all season. But, so many mitigating factors kept the team from achieving its full potential. The most mitigating of factors being injuries (This is an entirely different team with Licha). But, regardless of what excuses there may be the season must be analyzed fully. The new footballing structure set up by INEOS must decide what to do with ten Hag. So, here is a case for him to stay.
Injuries (A Muppets excuse)
Okay, the easiest place to begin when pumping excuses out of the excuse factory is the injury crisis. No team in all of Europe’s top 5 leagues, let alone all of its leagues, experienced more days missed through injury, illness or other related ailments (60 to be precise).
To put this all in perspective take the two title contending sides this season, Arsenal and City. According to The Athletic those clubs saw a total of 1,562 days lost through injury, meanwhile United endured 1,584 days alone. Those numbers don’t even include the days Kobbie Mainoo missed due to his injury in pre season. Technically some clubs (i.e. Newcastle) experienced more days lost to injury but when you factor in the number of matches played and apply it to injuries per 1000 minutes United ranks the highest in the EPL at 10.3 injuries per 1000 minutes played.
Who was injured was the even bigger problem
Next let’s take a look at just how impactful those injuries are. Eric ten Hag used the same starting 11 five times this season. The same as last season but where the changes in the starting 11 occur is where the problem lay. United utilized 14 different centre back combinations this season. The best defensive team in the league, statistically that is, was Arsenal who used only 3 different combinations.
Finally, one has to acknowledge the importance of the players United was without and for how long compared to those players hurt in a side like say Newcastle. The 3 most important players United was without for essentially the entire season were Lisandro Martinez number 1 followed by Luke Shaw and Mason Mount. All 3 of those players provide consistent high level play when healthy. (Mount hasn’t done so for United yet but we all know what he’s capable of). Martinez was the most missed of those players and it was made even more evident in the FA Cup final. Martinez is not only an excellent centre back but he’s also leader of men in every possible way. United does not win the FA cup if Martinez is not in the side.
Uncertainty
The only other excuse I really need to dive into is the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership. This put everyone at the club in a state of uncertainty over their futures. It also meant money was not spent sufficiently in the summer and none was spent in January, not even a loan move. The club was in talks to either sell the club in its entirety to Qatar (essentially) or sell a partial stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe with INEOS. Finally, on Christmas Eve of 2024 the club sold a 25% stake, including the control of footballing operations to Jim Ratcliffe. But, even with the sale made final there were still several questions left to be answered.
Several changes were made to the club. Many key figures including Rich Arnold and John Murtough would leave the club. There has yet to be an official appointment of a new Director of football. Although, it’s all but confirmed that Dan Ashworth will be appointed in the role from Newcastle.
Questions for Everyone
Apart form the footballing side, almost everyone involved at the club in any department has been given just a few weeks following the end of the season to decide if they’d like to remain working for the club. This certainly created turmoil within the club and could easily lead many club figures including players to ponder their futures.
INEOS seemed to initially back ten Hag but after a disappointing start to the latter half of the season that backing seemed to dissipate. Rumors circulated on potential new managers, including the likes of Gareth Southgate which could easily be seen as an insult. The issues associated with this type of background noise can’t really be understood from the outside looking in. So fans will never truly know just how much this impacted Eric ten Hag and his team.
Time Time Time
Eric ten Hag must be given more time. It’s cliche to say and sometimes managers are allotted too much time. But, since Sir Alex Fergusons retirement no United manager has been given a full 3 seasons in charge of the club. 3 seasons should be considered the minimum time a manager is given apart from disastrous or unforeseen circumstances.
The first season is a chance to evaluate the club. The second season is when tactics are put into full effect and the third is when it all comes together. Eric ten Hag had an excellent first season, winning a trophy and finishing 3rd but his second season was obviously a disaster.
The Sophomore Slump
Although, a sophomore slump as many call it in America is very common and never spells the end for any athlete or coach. And this sophomore season for ten Hag was full of unforeseen circumstances. Yet, he still managed to garner the club another trophy, a bigger trophy than last years league cup and due to that fact the club will still be in the Europa League next season. This isn’t as great as a top 4 finish alone would’ve been but it gives the club silverware and chance to fight for the Champions League in the 24/25 season on two fronts.
The Players haven’t given up on the manager and ten Hag has proven to be cereal winner his entire career. And just consider the managers available for hire should the Dutchman leave. There’s no doubt that ten Hag should be given at least one more season. Showing faith in a manger will not only support the gaffer himself but will set an example for the players and other staff at the club. INEOS and Jim Ratcliffe need to show the club it’s different and it’s in this for the long haul.
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