Is Erik ten Hag on the verge of being sacked by Manchester United? New Reports Surface on the Dutch Coach’s Future
Speculation continues to surround Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United, given the team’s poor start to the new season. However, according to Football Insider, the Red Devils have no immediate plans to dismiss the Dutch manager.
Well-known journalist Pete O’Rourke stated on the *Inside Track* podcast by Football Insider that the club is prepared to allow Ten Hag time to improve the squad’s performance. Reports suggest that the Dutchman will likely remain in charge until at least the Christmas period.
United’s struggles have been evident, winning only one of their first three Premier League matches, while losing the other two. Their sole victory came in a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham, secured by a late goal from Joshua Zirkzee. However, they endured defeats to Brighton and Liverpool, which has placed more pressure on Ten Hag. Brighton beat United 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, followed by a crushing 3-0 loss to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Despite these setbacks, the Manchester United board appears hesitant to rush into firing Ten Hag. They are reportedly giving him time to incorporate the new signings into the squad and attempt to turn things around.
Ten Hag, who took over at United in the summer of 2022, had an encouraging first season in English football, finishing third in the 2022-23 campaign. However, they slipped to eighth place last season. Under his guidance, the club has enjoyed success in cup competitions, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup. His FA Cup triumph, particularly defeating Manchester City in the final last season, may have saved him from losing his job over the summer.
Since joining Manchester United, Ten Hag has spent a significant £407 million on new players, with only Chelsea outspending them. This summer alone, he received considerable backing from the club with five major signings.
Roy Keane Suggests a New Role for Manchester United’s Casemiro to Revive Form
Club legend Roy Keane believes that midfielder Casemiro could regain his form if given a different role on the pitch. The pundit suggested that the Brazilian might excel in a more advanced position, with Manuel Ugarte taking on the defensive midfield duties. According to Keane, as quoted by EPL Index:
“I wouldn’t write him off. If he gets a few more games under his belt, he might be better suited playing higher up the pitch. He doesn’t cover as much ground as before, but he still has an eye for a pass and is effective on set-pieces. Moving him forward could help him get back into form.”
Keane also remarked that Casemiro is not as comfortable receiving the ball in deeper positions, making a tactical adjustment more favorable. During last week’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool, Casemiro had a poor game, making errors that led to two goals and being dispossessed 13 times. He was substituted at half-time as United suffered a heavy defeat at Old Trafford.
