There will be big changes at Manchester United if one specific takeover bid goes through and it could result in Erik ten Hag shockingly losing his job and being replaced by a world-class manager, according to an observer.
Man Utd appointed Ten Hag in April 2022 as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term successor. Interim boss Ralf Rangnick remained in charge of the side until Ten Hag left Ajax in the summer and began work at Old Trafford.
At the time of the appointment, Man Utd were criticised for not getting a big name in like Mauricio Pochettino. This is because Ten Hag had only managed Dutch clubs and Bayern Munich’s second team previously.
However, the 53-year-old is doing an excellent job. He has gotten the best out of several players already at the club, most importantly Marcus Rashford. After scoring just five times in the whole of last season, the Englishman is already on 20 strikes. He could be set for his most successful campaign ever.
Other stars such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred and Luke Shaw have improved under Ten Hag’s guidance, too.
This, coupled with some brilliant summer additions, is a large reason as to why Man Utd are enjoying a great campaign. They are third in the Premier League and are also through to the Carabao Cup final, where they could win their first trophy since 2017. Plus, the Red Devils remain in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Despite Ten Hag’s success, Dutch analyst Chris Woerts believes his compatriot will be axed if one specific party purchases Man Utd from the Glazers.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is hoping to do so. Although, he is facing competition from a group of wealthy Qatari investors.
Glazers getting closer to Man Utd sale
They are planning to submit a colossal £6billion takeover bid. And they want to make Man Utd one of the biggest forces in world football once again.
Woerts thinks their plan will involve letting Ten Hag go and bringing in one of the most respected managers on the planet. This is what the Abu Dhabi owners of Manchester City have done since their takeover in 2008. Top coaches such as Roberto Mancini and Pep Guardiola have arrived at the Etihad.
“There is a big battle going on between the Qatari side and Jim Ratcliffe,” Woerts said during a recent interview (via Dutch source Soccer News).
“If the Qataris take over, you will get the same situation as with Manchester City at the time. There it is a kind of FC Barcelona [version] two.
“They put their own management, their own coach and their own commercial director. Then there really will be their own team.
“He [Ten Hag] is only six months in. [I am] 100 per cent sure the Qataris will put their own people there.”
While Man Utd’s prospective new owners would love to appoint one of the best names in management, it would be a mistake to do so now.
Ten Hag is finally getting the best out of a group of players that have been underwhelming for several years. By getting rid of him, all of the progress would be put at risk.
Ten Hag is not just hoping to make Man Utd better in the short term, either. He is intent on making their long-term future bright. This is shown by the trust he has put in Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Kobbie Mainoo.
And in a welcome boost for Ten Hag, one of those three young players has just penned a new contract.
